Adopting advanced e-commerce practices is essential for enhancing user engagement and business performance, particularly in tourism. This study evaluates the e-commerce adoption of Kazakhstan’s tourism websites using an innovative Integrated Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (IMCDA) methodology. Traditional evaluation methods overlook the interplay between website functionality, user experience, and strategic objectives. To address this gap, the IMCDA framework integrates qualitative and quantitative approaches by combining advanced Multi-Criteria Decision-Making (MCDM) techniques, including SPOTIS, ESP-COMET, RANCOM, and SITW, with content analysis and logistic regression. The study assessed 77 tourism websites, categorized into Online Travel Agencies (OTAs), Official Tourism Websites (OTWs), and Attraction Websites (AWs), based on 34 e-commerce features grouped into dimensions such as product information, functionality, reservations, payment systems, and customer relationship management (CRM). The findings reveal that OTAs significantly outperform OTWs and AWs in most dimensions, especially in online booking and CRM functionalities. At the same time, AWs lag in key e-commerce features like reservations and payment systems. This research highlights critical gaps in Kazakhstan’s tourism e-commerce ecosystem. It provides actionable recommendations, including enhancing CRM tools, integrating advanced booking systems, and leveraging collaborations with local financial technology providers like Kaspi Pay. The IMCDA framework offers a robust, adaptable evaluation model with practical implications for digital transformation and competitiveness in the tourism industry. This study contributes to advancing digital maturity in Kazakhstan’s tourism sector by addressing these gaps. It sets the foundation for future research to explore innovative strategies in e-commerce adoption across various regions and industries.

The development of cross-border tourism between neighboring countries has become increasingly popular in recent decades. In European countries where the visa-free regime is established, this scheme is well developed and positively affects the development of the country's economy. Developing cross-border areas and establishing cross-border cooperation with neighboring countries is one of the priorities of Central Asian state policy. In the last ten years, several large-scale cross-border platforms aimed at developing tourism have been implemented among the more developed countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan) in Central Asia, so our study was based on the border regions of the three countries mentioned above. The study aims to highlight the benefits of cooperation in cross-border tourism by examining the experiences and expectations of experts who are well-versed in the field of tourism. A qualitative research method was mainly used in semi-structured interviews focused on the positive results associated with the development of cross-border tourism among people familiar with the region's tourism. The analysis showed that according to the informants, the development of cross-border tourism has a moderate impact on the joint development of infrastructure projects by countries. The results also showed that all of the survey participants believed that cross-border tourism would provide an impetus to strengthen joint tourism marketing and the exchange of knowledge and innovation between countries. In short, it can be seen from the results of the research that the respondents generally highly appreciated the positive influence of the development of cross-border tourism on the growth of the country's economy.

The development of large cities has a significant influence on surrounding settlements. Urban areas are characterized by diversity and variability, depending on their size, function, combination of elements, and the spatial distribution of industrial and transport infrastructure. Over the past decade, due to population resettlement, urban settlements have undergone substantial transformations. However, spontaneous processes often accompany urban development, and land use efficiency remains suboptimal. The relevance of this study is determined by the necessity of analyzing urban territories as an integral part of the city. This paper presents an analysis of the structure and dynamics of suburban development in the vicinity of Aktobe. The expansion of these areas plays a crucial role in shaping the city’s economic landscape and determining its growth trajectories. The study employs statistical, comparative-analytical, and isochrone methods. From a geodemographic perspective, the suburban zone of Aktobe is of particular interest due to its formation characteristics and specific spatial dimensions. The most active and attractive development occurs within a 15–30 km radius from the city center, corresponding to 40-minute and 90-minute isochrones. In recent years, Aktobe has been experiencing rapid urban growth, necessitating the resolution of key planning issues such as functional zoning, urban regulation, development of major transport infrastructure, preservation of recreational areas, and the establishment of green spaces. A SWOT analysis of the settlements surrounding Aktobe was conducted as part of the study. One of the identified strengths is the favorable transport and logistics situation. Additionally, the study evaluates other strengths and weaknesses, as well as potential opportunities and existing constraints for suburban development.

This study aims to assess sustainable urban planning in the city of Qonayev, Kazakhstan, the administrative center of Almaty Region in southeastern Kazakhstan, situated near the Ili River and functioning as a rapidly developing urban hub within the greater Almaty metropolitan area, through the lens of residents’ perceptions. Its main objective is to analyze citizens’ views on the city’s sustainability across ecological, social, economic, and political dimensions, as well as to identify their concrete suggestions. The data were collected in 2024 through a survey of 574 respondents, and the statistical analysis, including cluster and factor analysis, was conducted using SPSS and Excel. The results showed that the average sustainability score of Qonayev is 66.76%, categorizing it as potentially sustainable. The social dimension (74.16%) and economic dimension (66.88%) received higher scores, particularly in areas such as access to education for children, water supply, and investment volume. The ecological (58.42%) and political dimensions (58.74%) received lower scores, especially in areas such as waste management, ecological transport, and budget transparency. The study identifies problems associated with low citizen participation and proposes three development scenarios: sustainable, optimal, and regressive. This dataset is valuable as a methodological model for assessing sustainable urban planning in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. It enables policymakers to develop needs-based solutions and allows researchers to analyze the effectiveness of civic engagement. Furthermore, the study highlights the importance of empowering local communities to play a more significant role in implementing sustainable development.