The Turkistan Region is currently facing a shortage of qualified tour guides. To properly welcome international visitors, the region is in need of multilingual professionals. Specialists fluent not only in English, but also in Chinese and Spanish, are in high demand.
One inspiring example is a local hero who has captured the attention of many: 55-year-old Sher Ilyasov, a security guard at the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Despite his role, he has become a star thanks to a viral video showing him confidently giving tours to foreign visitors—in fluent English.
“I get all the information I need from my phone—videos, books, films,” says Ilyasov. “They used to say, ‘A traveler is a guest.’ When foreigners come, they often feel shy. But since I speak their language, and we Kazakhs are hospitable, I approach them in English—and it makes them smile. In summer, they usually ask for food or water, and I show them where to eat well.”
Having learned English entirely on his own over several years, Ilyasov is a powerful example of what dedication can achieve, earning admiration from both locals and tourists.
Photographer Nurdaulet Turganbai adds: “I take photos of tourists every day. I see how this man greets foreign guests and gives them full tours without ever asking for money. He explains everything in English.”
Last year, Turkistan Region welcomed 800,000 tourists, with a growing number of international visitors. According to Darkhan Asankhan, Head of the Tourism Department of Turkistan Region, the industry is struggling to meet demand for high-quality guiding services.
“As the number of tourists grows each year, the shortage of professional guides becomes more noticeable. There are frequent complaints about inaccurate information being given during tours,” he said.
Professional guide Ismail Omaraliev confirms that truly skilled guides are rare and that the demand for polyglots is increasing: “Chinese and Spanish speakers are especially sought after. We are actively recruiting and training specialists. There are no limits—we’re organizing tours in Turkistan, Zhambyl, and now also in Kyzylorda Region.”
A roadmap for tourism development has been adopted in the region, with a strong focus on improving infrastructure and service quality. Nurdaulet Medeuov, Head of the Regional Tourism Department, emphasizes the urgent need for a unified tourist monitoring system.
“Everyone is working independently, without a unified system. If this continues, we risk damaging our tourism sites ourselves. But if we implement a central system and improve infrastructure, we’ll be able to attract more visitors, ensure their safety, keep sites clean, and track visitor numbers effectively.”
According to the department, local entrepreneurs are ready to invest in tourism. Since the beginning of the year, 41 billion tenge has already been invested in the region, with plans to reach 50 billion by year-end
One inspiring example is a local hero who has captured the attention of many: 55-year-old Sher Ilyasov, a security guard at the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi. Despite his role, he has become a star thanks to a viral video showing him confidently giving tours to foreign visitors—in fluent English.
“I get all the information I need from my phone—videos, books, films,” says Ilyasov. “They used to say, ‘A traveler is a guest.’ When foreigners come, they often feel shy. But since I speak their language, and we Kazakhs are hospitable, I approach them in English—and it makes them smile. In summer, they usually ask for food or water, and I show them where to eat well.”
Having learned English entirely on his own over several years, Ilyasov is a powerful example of what dedication can achieve, earning admiration from both locals and tourists.
Photographer Nurdaulet Turganbai adds: “I take photos of tourists every day. I see how this man greets foreign guests and gives them full tours without ever asking for money. He explains everything in English.”
Last year, Turkistan Region welcomed 800,000 tourists, with a growing number of international visitors. According to Darkhan Asankhan, Head of the Tourism Department of Turkistan Region, the industry is struggling to meet demand for high-quality guiding services.
“As the number of tourists grows each year, the shortage of professional guides becomes more noticeable. There are frequent complaints about inaccurate information being given during tours,” he said.
Professional guide Ismail Omaraliev confirms that truly skilled guides are rare and that the demand for polyglots is increasing: “Chinese and Spanish speakers are especially sought after. We are actively recruiting and training specialists. There are no limits—we’re organizing tours in Turkistan, Zhambyl, and now also in Kyzylorda Region.”
A roadmap for tourism development has been adopted in the region, with a strong focus on improving infrastructure and service quality. Nurdaulet Medeuov, Head of the Regional Tourism Department, emphasizes the urgent need for a unified tourist monitoring system.
“Everyone is working independently, without a unified system. If this continues, we risk damaging our tourism sites ourselves. But if we implement a central system and improve infrastructure, we’ll be able to attract more visitors, ensure their safety, keep sites clean, and track visitor numbers effectively.”
According to the department, local entrepreneurs are ready to invest in tourism. Since the beginning of the year, 41 billion tenge has already been invested in the region, with plans to reach 50 billion by year-end