Tourism carrying capacity remains pivotal for ensuring sustainable development within protected terrains, accentuating the balance between conservation, socio-economic benefits, and visitor satisfaction. This study delves into the intricate dimensions of this balance, focusing on the Katon-Karagay National Park (KKNP). Merging comprehensive empirical data accrued from fieldwork within the park, calculations surrounding recreational loads, and a synthesis of the relevant literature, the study designed a methodology. This included calculation techniques incorporating ecological and tourist social capacities, the psychocomfort approach, and an ongoing monitoring approach, supplemented by exclusive data from the park’s administration. Key findings underscored the significance of an adaptive balance, revealing specific permissible recreational loads for different park zones. For instance, zones of quiet recreation evidenced up to 5 people/ha, while active recreation zones fluctuated between 20 and 100 people/ha. Monitoring evidenced critical environmental changes, shaping recommendations for effective tourism flow regulation, ensuring alignment with established norms and ecological preservation. The exploration substantiates the indispensability of a meticulously structured approach to ascertain tourism carrying capacity, emphasizing the harmony achievable between environmental sanctity and human pursuits. KKNP’s empirical data serve as a paradigm, guiding sustainable tourism frameworks for similar ecologically sensitive regions.

Tourism carrying capacity remains pivotal for ensuring sustainable development within protected terrains, accentuating the balance between conservation, socio-economic benefits, and visitor satisfaction. This study delves into the intricate dimensions of this balance, focusing on the Katon-Karagay National Park (KKNP). Merging comprehensive empirical data accrued from fieldwork within the park, calculations surrounding recreational loads, and a synthesis of relevant literature, the study designed a methodology. This included calculated techniques incorporating ecological and tourist social capacities, the psychocomfort approach, and an ongoing monitoring approach, supplemented by exclusive data from the park's administration. Key findings underscored the significance of an adaptive balance, revealing specific permissible recreational loads for different park zones. For instance, zones of quiet recreation evidenced up to 5 people/ha, while active recreation zones fluctuated between 20 to 100 people/ha. Monitoring evidenced critical environmental changes, shaping recommendations for effective tourism flow regulation, ensuring alignment with established norms and ecological preservation. The exploration substantiates the indispensability of a meticulously structured approach to ascertain tourism carrying capacity, emphasizing the harmony achievable between environmental sanctity and human pursuits. KKNP's empirical data serves as a paradigm, guiding sustainable tourism frameworks for similar ecologically sensitive regions.

Tourism is a rapidly growing sector in Kazakhstan, yet Almaty city and its surrounding region have experienced stagnant growth despite rich natural and cultural assets. This study identifies governance-related barriers that impede sustainable tourism development and effective stakeholder participation. Using a mixed-methods design centered on semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from government, business, NGOs (Non-Governmental Organization), and community organizations conducted in 2018 and 2024, and supplemented by PEST (Political, Economic, Sociocultural, and Technological factors) analysis and stakeholder mapping, we distill recurring constraints and opportunities. The findings show that, while digitalization, through digital platforms, improved some administrative processes by 2024, the fundamental obstacles identified in 2018 remained largely unchanged. Three core constraints persisted across both periods: fragmented institutional governance, prolonged and opaque permitting procedures that deter investment, and a deep-seated lack of trust between the private sector and public authorities. These systemic failures continue to limit the sector’s potential, especially amid rapid post-pandemic visitor growth. This paper proposes actionable measures to address these challenges: establishing a unified regional tourism coordination authority, streamlining and standardizing regulations and approval processes, and offering targeted capacity building for SMEs (Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) and local administrations. Implemented together, these reforms can align Almaty’s tourism governance with international good practices and foster more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable tourism growth.

This study investigates the economic impact of tourism in Buiratau State National Nature Park (SNNP) by analyzing the direct, indirect, and induced effects of tourist spending through the multiplier effect. Using input–output (I-O) models and primary data from park administrators, local businesses, and national statistics, the research quantifies the economic contributions of tourism to the local economy. In 2023, total tourist spending in Buiratau SNNP amounted to 19,856,520 KZT (41,320.4 USD), generating an overall economic impact of 56,337,037 KZT (117,234.5 USD). The calculated tourist expenditure multiplier is 2.84, and the tourist income multiplier is 2.578. These findings demonstrate the amplification of tourist spending within the regional economy, highlighting the roles of direct revenues from tourist services and indirect benefits from related sectors. This study also explores sustainable tourism development, emphasizing investments in infrastructure and collaboration with local stakeholders. Recommendations include enhancing data collection methods, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and engaging local communities in planning processes. This research is particularly relevant for developing regions, including post-Soviet states, where national parks are centrally managed, providing a framework for optimizing tourism’s economic contributions while maintaining conservation goals.

This article examines the complex interactions of the multiplier effect within the realm of tourism, with a specific emphasis on national parks. The main objective is to evaluate the multiplier effect within national parks, specifically focusing on Buiratau State National Nature Park in Kazakh-stan as a case study. The multiplier effect is a fundamental principle in the field of economic analysis. Economic multiplier effect is the term used to describe the occurrence when an initial infusion of spending in a certain industry leads to subsequent rounds of extra and sustainable economic activity. In the context of national parks, this phenomenon arises when visitor expendi-tures result in several favorable consequences, including increased employment, infrastructure advancement, and general economic expansion. The article seeks to measure the multiplier effect of tourism activities in Buiratau State National Nature Park through a thorough assessment. This entails examining several variables and datasets pertaining to visitor expenditure and its influ-ence. The study contributes to the existing literature by examining a recently constructed national park in a developing country. It compares the findings of this park with well-established national parks in other areas, emphasizing the distinct problems and opportunities it presents. Further-more, the research presents a methodological framework for evaluating the multiplier effect of national parks, which may be utilized in comparable contexts. This research ultimately enhances our comprehension of the economic implications of national parks and emphasizes their function as drivers for local and regional growth.

The article analyzes the dynamics and geographical structure of international tourist flows to Kazakhstan in 2019–2024. The purpose of the study is to identify temporal changes in tourist flows based on official statistical data and to demonstrate their spatial distribution by main countries of origin through cartographic modeling. The research methodology includes statistical analysis, comparative analysis, and cartographic visualization methods based on geographic information systems. The analysis revealed that tourist flows significantly decreased during the pandemic period, and a recovery trend was observed in 2023–2024. Russia, Uzbekistan, China, Germany, the USA, India, and Iran were identified as the main tourist markets for Kazakhstan. The compiled flow maps allow us to visually demonstrate the spatial directions of tourist movement. The results of the study can be used to plan tourism infrastructure, improve marketing strategies, and justify tourism policy