ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC FACTORS SHAPING LABOR SHORTAGES IN KAZAKHSTAN’S TOURISM INDUSTRY

Abstract

This study investigates the economic factors associated with labor shortages in Kazakhstan’s tourism industry. As tourism demand expands and competition among destinations intensifies, staffing constraints have become a systemic challenge, reducing service quality and constraining the sustainable development of tourism products. The objective is to identify the key economic determinants of labor shortages and to assess their implications for workforce provision in the sector. The analysis draws on official statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, including wage indicators and regional data on accommodation establishments (employment, seasonal employment, and the volume of visitors served). Methods include descriptive statistics and interregional comparisons, the construction of a staff workload measure (visitors served per employee), and correlation analysis to examine the relationship between tourism intensity and labor demand. The findings indicate that sectoral wages are generally below the economy-wide average, while seasonality and regional disparities adversely affect workforce stability. The study provides practical recommendations to improve job attractiveness, mitigate seasonal staffing risks, and strengthen training and retraining mechanisms aligned with industry needs.