Congress tourism supply potential of almaty and evaluation of the city by congress destination selection factors

In this era of globalization, congresses may be hosted almost anywhere in the world and this situation creates highly competitive environment among potential host destinations. According to some resources, there are 218 countries and 1468 cities competing to have a share of this highly profitable market. More than that, nowadays it is possible to observe smaller cities competing in this market to attract congress events instead the fact that traditionally it was major cities privilege. Therefore, the intensity of this competition gives rise to the importance of congress destination selection factors. The main aim of this research is the analysis of Almaty?s congress tourism supply potential and city?s evaluation by congress destination selection factors. At first, in this study general information about congress tourism was given and importance of congress destination selection factors in highly competitive environment of this market was mentioned. After that, some advantages of Kazakhstan and Almaty city in the global congress tourism market and Almaty?s congress tourism supply potential were tried to be exposed. Finally, present condition of congress tourism in Almaty and its performance by congress destination selection factors were evaluated according to the results of the sample group survey implication. As the result of this study, there were defined some weaknesses of Almaty in conformity by the congress destination selection factors. It is important for destination managers to take into consideration this weaknesses during decision making period of where and how to direct investment resources to develop city?s congress tourism and to rise competitiveness of the destination.