The Silk Road tourism project represents an astonishing international comeback for this historic route. More or less as the “new Silk Road“, this network of historic trading routes with its many different branches is not only helping to boost tourism but is also having an impact on business and science in the region, as well as encouraging political cooperation and easing visa restrictions. This is one of the important outcomes of the 9th Silk Road Ministers’ Meeting at the ITB Berlin Convention.
Despite a 21 per cent drop in turnover to 738.1 million dollars, last year Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, was able to increase profits by 144 per cent to 47.4 million dollars. The number of passengers rose by two per cent to 3.86 million. The summer schedule will now also include Tehran and Ulan Bator, with travel to Mongolia’s capital also connecting with the airline’s European flights. Flights will take place daily to Frankfurt, three times a week to Paris, and four times a week to London, so that Europe to Kazakhstan will be flown twice daily.
Despite a 21 per cent drop in turnover to 738.1 million dollars, last year Air Astana, Kazakhstan’s national carrier, was able to increase profits by 144 per cent to 47.4 million dollars. The number of passengers rose by two per cent to 3.86 million. The summer schedule will now also include Tehran and Ulan Bator, with travel to Mongolia’s capital also connecting with the airline’s European flights. Flights will take place daily to Frankfurt, three times a week to Paris, and four times a week to London, so that Europe to Kazakhstan will be flown twice daily.
It is a tourist route connecting 33 countries, that despite the different political systems promotes understanding and tolerance, creates jobs, drives economic growth and is famous as a trademark among travellers around the world. Thus, at the Silk Road Ministers’ meeting which took place at the ITB Convention, Taleb Rifai, general secretary of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), gave an account of the most recent achievements surrounding this centuries-old caravan route.
On its winter season flights in February and March respectively, the Kazakh airline Air Astana is introducing an exclusive product, its economy sleeper class, on its Boeing 757 flights from Frankfurt and London to Astana and on its newly launched route to Paris. Priced below business class, it offers passengers a flat bed for a good night’s sleep on three adjacent economy seats on these six-hour flights. Economy sleeper class cabins are separated from business and economy class, and 12 places are available on each flight.
