TOURISM INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AND GOVERNANCE: A COMPARATIVE STAGE REVIEW OF KAZAKHSTAN’S EXPERIENCE FOR THE YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, 1991-2020

Abstract

Kazakhstan has the rich potential for tourism due to its rich culture, geographical and biological diversity, history, rugged mountains, gorgeous lakes, rivers, deserts, and has a lot of attractions and sites that satisfy the needs of domestic tourists as well as international tourists. However, the country has not yet achieved its incredible tourism potential, while tourism development in Kazakhstan began since 1990s. Therefore, the aim of this article is to examine the genesis and formation of the tourism industry in Kazakhstan and it considers how the situation in the tourism industry has regressed or progressed historically since independence. In addition, the article indicates what changes have taken place in the tourism industry in Kazakhstan over the past decade, as well as how the tourism industry has been influenced by government policy and incentive mechanisms. A systematic literature review is carried out that analyses published studies, evaluates contributions and summarises knowledge. The data for this article was collected from the National Committee on Statistics, Kazakhstan Tourism Association, National Committee on Tourism Industry as well as the official information portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan on tourism. National regulations, programs, international and national reports have been used as a theoretical and methodological base for analysis and review. The formation of tourism industry from the moment of gaining state independence is divided into three period stages including 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. The article outlines the main problems that hinder the development of the tourism industry in Kazakhstan, and on this basis, some policy recommendations are proposed. The tourism sector has to adopt a principal part in conserving and improving the situation in order to safeguard tourism’s largest commodity, and assure the on-going success of the industry. Communities and tour operators must form a powerful association and acknowledge each other’s crucial involvement. To attain the required objectives, strong collaboration among the national, provincial, and local governments, private sectors, and other concerned organizations is compulsory.