In particular, after the film's worldwide release, the Kazakh embassy in London recorded a record number of visa applications from those wishing to see with their own eyes how much Borat's country differs from the real Kazakhstan. And the currency exchange network Travelex reported that since the start of the tourist boom, it has exchanged more than $1.2 million into Kazakhstani tenge for customers, according to Travel.ru citing Travel Daily News.
With the support of diplomatic missions, Kazakh travel agencies have prepared special tours 'Kazakhstan vs. Boratistan', which help tourists, after familiarizing themselves with the real situation in Kazakhstan, to critically evaluate the scandalous film. The advertising slogan of these tours: 'Jagshemash!!! See the real Kazakhstan!'.
During the recent World Travel Market tourism forum in London, Kazakhstan's Deputy Minister of Tourism Kenzhebai Satzhanov stated that although the growth in tourist flow did not meet the most optimistic forecasts, the country is still pleased with the increase in the number of guests, which became possible thanks to 'free advertising' in the provocative film. According to a ministry representative, in the first six months of this year, tourist flow to Kazakhstan increased by 13% compared to the same period in 2007.