In honor of World Tourist Guide Day, Eurasian National University named after L.N. Gumilyov, in collaboration with the Union of Guides and Tour Guides of Kazakhstan, JSC "Kazakh Tourism", the Akimat of Astana city, and LLP "Astana Development Center", held the First Republican Forum of Guides and Tour Guides of Kazakhstan on February 21, 2024.

Every year on February 21, many cities around the world, especially those that are tourism centers, celebrate World Tourist Guide Day to raise awareness of the importance of tour guides' work.

The solemn event was moderated by the President of the Union of Guides and Tour Guides of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Saltanat Abzhanova. The event began with welcoming words from the Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yerzhan Erkinbayev, and the Vice-Rector for Strategic Development of L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Duman Aitmagambetov. The former Chairman of the Board of JSC "Akmolaturist", Vladimir Zhukov, and the Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Tourism and Honored Sports Figure of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Yevgeniy Nikitinskiy, also delivered speeches. Additionally, the Deputy Director for Professional Training of the Higher College "Astana Polytechnic", Galiya Kulikova, participated.

The festive part of the opening ceremony was memorable for honoring distinguished veterans of the tour guide profession, paying tribute to the older generation. The organizers and participants of the forum wanted to show their respect to the senior generation by recognizing their contributions. Presentations were given by Daniel Serganuly, Chairman of the Board of JSC "NC Kazakh Tourism", Olga Abeldinova, Director of the Tourism Development Department at LLP "Astana Development Center", Olesya Lavrenova, Head of the National Association of Mountain Guides of Kazakhstan, Tatyana Vernitskaya, Executive Director of the Urban Tourism Development Center, and Zhazira Zhankina, Vice President of the SRO KazGuides. Valentina Aliyasova, a candidate of culturology and professor at the Higher School of Natural Sciences of Pavlodar State Pedagogical University named after A. Margulan, also spoke.

Traditionally, following the global tradition, badge awards were presented to guide interns by JSC "NC "Kazakh Tourism". Additionally, Certificates of Appreciation and commemorative gifts were presented to 20 tour guides of the capital by the Deputy Akim of Astana, Yevgeniy Glotov.

After the official part, guided tours were organized for the forum guests to the "Forte Bank" and "Kara Nukte" galleries