Assessment of the potential of sacred tourism in Кazakhstan

Abstract

The current stage of tourism development is characterized by a shift in emphasis on the development of sacral tourism, for which Kazakhstan has a huge potential. The rich historical and cultural heritage and at the same time the increased interest in sacral sites from tourists and pilgrims actualizes the issue of assessing the potential for the development of sacral tourism. The assessment of the resource potential of this branch is the main tool for regulating the development of this kind of tourism and determining the prospects for its development. The article presents the results of assessing the potential for the development of sacral tourism in Kazakhstan. Taking into account the lack of certain statistical indicators in the study, an attempt was made to assess the potential of sacral tourism in the context of administrative regions of Kazakhstan based on the selected evaluation criteria, using the generally accepted method of balance and expert interviewing. The analysis revealed an uneven distribution of capacity, confirming that the areas with the greatest capacity to receive and provide potential tourists with resources (natural, climatic, sacral) and infrastructure, located in the south and center of the country. The administrative regions of the west, east and north of the country are characterized by the medium and low importance of the potential for the development of sacral tourism. The research results can be used to solve organizational and managerial problems in order to develop a balanced development of sacral tourism at the regional and local levels.