COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SUSTAINABLE TOURISM MANAGEMENT MODELS: CASE STUDIES OF TURKESTAN AND OTHER REGIONS OF KAZAKHSTAN

Abstract

This article presents a comparative analysis of sustainable tourism management models in Kazakhstan, with a particular focus on comparing the experience of the Turkestan region with other regions of the country. The study takes into account regional policy, infrastructure development, as well as environmental and social aspects, on the basis of which effective management strategies are proposed. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the systematic comparison of sustainable tourism management approaches across the regions of Kazakhstan and the formulation of specific recommendations for their improvement. The practical significance of the study is associated with the possibility of applying the obtained results by government authorities, tourism business entities, and local communities. The research employed statistical data analysis, comparative analysis, questionnaire surveys, and expert evaluation methods. The conclusion identifies key challenges in the development of regional tourism and proposes effective solutions to address them.

The main objective of the article is to examine the sustainable tourism management model in the Turkestan region and to identify optimal development strategies through comparison with the practices of other regions of Kazakhstan. In addition, recommendations for the development of sustainable tourism are provided, taking into account environmental, economic, and social factors.

The study applied the following methods: comparative analysis, which involved comparing management models of the Turkestan region with those of other regions.

Results. The experience of the Turkestan region demonstrates that in recent years the region has pursued an active policy aimed at developing tourism infrastructure and preserving cultural heritage. Within the framework of public–private partnerships, projects for the construction of modern hotels and the restoration of historical monuments have been implemented. The experience of other regions shows that Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions primarily focus on nature-based tourism, while Atyrau and Mangystau regions emphasize the development of ecotourism. Common challenges across all regions include increasing environmental pressure, insufficient infrastructure, and a low level of local community participation in tourism activities. As effective strategies, the adaptation of Turkestan’s experience in developing cultural and historical tourism to other regions, the introduction of digital technologies, and measures to enhance tourist responsibility are proposed.

The research results indicate that the development of sustainable tourism requires comprehensive management models. While the experience of the Turkestan region is effective in terms of cultural heritage preservation and infrastructure improvement, regions focused on nature-based tourism are strengthening their consideration of environmental aspects. The development of sustainable tourism in Kazakhstan requires strong government support, active involvement of the private sector, and increased public participation. Therefore, it is necessary to formulate integrated and sustainable development strategies that take regional characteristics into account.