In the Almaty region, tourists have complained about the installation of a barrier at the entrance to the upper car park of Lake Issyk and the charging of a fee for visiting.
According to the Telegram channel «Almaty Sightseeing Tours», the fee for passage was introduced by a certain LLP «Khabe». The organisation provided a price list with the following rates:
- 2000 tenge per pedestrian;
- 2500 tenge per car;
- 5000 tenge per minibus;
- 15000 tenge per mid-sized bus;
- 20000 tenge per large bus.
As reported by Informburo.kz, citing the Ile-Alatau State National Nature Park, in December last year the regional akimat and LLP «Khabe» signed an agreement on tourism development. It is reported that according to the document, the company can charge fees for any services.
«Under the bilateral agreement, the company can earn money from any services, including charging a fee for entry,» the statement says.
Nevertheless, the akimat of the Almaty region refuted this interpretation of the agreement. According to them, the agreement does not provide for charging fees from tourists, and the company's actions go beyond its authority and violate the terms of the contract. As a result, on 17 August, the barrier near Lake Issyk was removed.
«Fees for transport are only established on the territory of the Ile-Alatau National Park in accordance with the law. The regional akimat sent LLP «Khabe» a notice to cease illegal payments and dismantle the installed barriers,» the department noted.