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'Borat makes Kazakhstan popular with backpackers'

(26 Jan 2007)

Going back-packing? – Get a great deal on travel insurance

Kazakhstan has emerged as a surprisingly popular destination for backpackers and gap year travellers, according to a new survey.

Research by TravellersConnected revealed the state is the third highest European country backpackers want information on as it accounted for 16 per cent of enquires.

The increase in Kazakhstan's popularity has been largely put to the success of the 2006 film Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

TravellersConnected founder, Alastair Banks, said: "It's really quite fantastic what Borat has done to raise the public profile of Kazakhstan. For the country to get more votes than Spain demonstrates the sheer power of the media."

He added that Kazakhstan "barely got any votes at all" in the same survey during 2006.

Meanwhile, Italy was reported to be the most popular country that backpackers wished to visit, attracting 22 per cent of respondents.

Britain came second in the poll, with 18 per cent.

The film sees Kazak journalist Borat Sagdiyev, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, travelling across the United States.

Earlier this week, Borat was nominated for an Oscar in the best adapted screenplay category.

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