December, 2012. Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the RK held a competition in different nominations among the members of How to develop tourism in Kazakhstan group. The competition was held in the form of a free online vote on the group page in Facebook. Regarding on the voting results Aigul Zhanserikova was the absolute winner in the nomination The most creative group member.

On the eve of the New Year the Vice Prime Minister, the Minister of Industry and New Technologies of the RK, Mr. Isekeshev A.O. handed the letter of appreciation and a valuable gift from the organizer of the competition at the office of “Aigul Line” company.

December, from 20 to 22, 2012, Astana. The national festival of traditional crafts in anticipation of EXPO-2017 was organized by LLP “Aigul Line” with the support of Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies.

The festival was held for the purpose of ethnographic tourism development in Kazakhstan. Its main goal is to create a dialogue platform for the information and experience exchange between concern parties at different levels, to prepare for EXPO-2017, and to boost the revival and development of traditional crafts as a part of the cultural heritage of Kazakhs.

December, 20. The seminar Development of the ethnographic tourism in Kazakhstan took place in association with the Turan University within the festival. The seminar was held at the conference hall of the University and was involved anthropologists, art historians, museum professionals, craftsmen, representatives of state and business entities.

December, 21. The official opening ceremony of the festival took place in the SEC Khan Shatyr, where the Chairman of Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies, Mr. Tanysbaev K.M. and the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Kenneth Fairfax gave welcome speech.

Among the festival invitees were also the representatives of state institutions (Tourism Industry Committee of the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the RK, Ministry of Culture, regional tourist offices of the RK), the minister residents of foreign countries, the representatives of the business community, international and NGOs organizations, culture, education and science institutions, anthropologists, art historians, museum staff and of course craftsmen.

The concert program of the festival was special due to the artists and dancers of the Presidential Orchestra, Orchestra of Kazakh national instruments under the guidance of Yedil Husainov, Kazyna ethnic folk group and many others. 

Within the festival a competition among the craftsmen was held. According to the jury independent opinion the winners in the following categories were:

Best Kazakh souvenir:

1st place: Kuangalieva Ainagul (Astana)

2nd place: Ayatbek Sanat - (Astana)

3rd place: Kaldarov Bolatbek (North Kazakhstan region, Petropavlovsk)

Best Kazakh souvenir brand:

1st place: Zhanserikova Aigul (Almaty)

The development of traditional crafts contribution:

1st place: Muhamedzhan Zeynelkhan (Almaty)

2nd place: Ryspayev Abaykhan - (South Kazakhstan region, Turkestan)

3rd place: Omirbek Gulnazim (Astana)

The winners were certificates and prizes awarded. Invited craftsmen were also awarded the certificates of participation.