This study examines the development and competitiveness of tourism clusters in Kazakhstan?s Turkestan region, one of the key Silk Road destination. It also explores the perceptions of tourists, local residents, and stakeholders on the development of a tourism cluster in this selected region. Cluster analysis revealed distinct visitor segments, with cultural and ecotourism as dominant demand types, alongside the differences in income, stay duration, and spending. Using Porter?s Diamond Model, the study identified challenges such as poor sectoral coordination, limited promotion, and weak institutional support. Regression analysis showed income-related variation in preferences, while SWOT analysis underscored the need for improved infrastructure, digital marketing, and service integration. Although sustainability outcomes were not empirically measured, the findings contribute to understanding the economic dimension of sustainability by examining stakeholder views on clustering and competitiveness. The results offer strategic guidance for policy and tourism development, emphasizing Turkestan?s cultural and ecological value within the Silk Road corridor. While sustainability was not directly measured, the outcomes offer strategic direction for enhancing the region?s competitiveness and advancing its role as a vital destination along the Silk Road.

Туризм-активно развивающаяся отрасль экономики. Несмотря на то, что туристические дестинации Казахстана еще не широко представлены на мировом рынке туризма, обладая уникальными природными ресурсами и объектами культурно-исторического наследия, страна обладает огромным потенциалом для достойного места в мировом туризме. Для развития туризма в стране достаточно всех необходимых культурных, исторических, географических и климатических условий. В Казахстане расположены три объекта культурного наследия и два объекта природного наследия, внесенные в список объектов всемирного наследия ЮНЕСКО. Однако привлекательность туристической индустрии характеризуется не только красивыми природными ландшафтами и историческими достопримечательностями, но и развитой инфраструктурой и обслуживанием, доступом к транспорту и безопасностью. Регионами, представляющими интерес для внутренних и внешних туристов в республике, являются национальные парки и особо охраняемые природные территории. Самыми популярными направлениями среди казахстанцев являются города Алматы и Астана, а также Восточно-Казахстанская область, а самым популярным среди иностранных туристов является Алматинский кластер. В регионах Казахстана есть возможности увеличить долю этой отрасли в экономике страны за счет развития туризма. Для этого необходимо решить актуальные проблемы развития отрасли.

Society can move towards sustainable future by integrating interdisciplinary knowledge in education for sustainable development (ESD), promoting sustainable practices. ESD is closely related to geography. It can be said that the educational content of the subject of geography includes almost all the goals of sustainable development. We reviewed scientific publications in the main collection of Web of Science, Scopus, and Dimensions databases as a result of systematic analysis of literature. We selected 24 articles in accordance with the research questions of the theoretical basis and practice of ESD implementation in school geography with the use of qualitative content analysis. The results obtained have revealed that the subject of geography at school has not lost its importance as a leading subject in the promotion of ESD. We propose prospective research in this area in order to improve the educational content and teaching practices of school geography in promoting ESD.

In geographical education, interdisciplinary links allow to identify the main elements of educational content, to develop system-forming ideas, concepts, general scientific methods of learning activities, opportunities for students to comprehensively assimilate knowledge from different scientific disciplines. Interdisciplinary links influence the composition and structure of each academic discipline. Therefore, it is very important to emphasize the interdisciplinary connections taken into account in the content of geography and, conversely, in other fields of science besides geography. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review of interdisciplinary related science fields that integrate geographic educational technologies. The study used methods of analysis, differentiation, systematisation to identify the interdisciplinary links between geography and sciences such as history; biology; ecology; mathematics; cartography; physics and chemistry. As a result of the study, it was found that these branches of science - form a holistic scientific worldview in the student, strengthen interdisciplinary links. Thus, interdisciplinary links in geographical education are a modern principle of learning, influencing the choice and structure of teaching material in a number of disciplines, and an integrated organisational form that activates teaching methods.

Our study focuses on the theoretical and methodological substantiation of integrating Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping into local history and tourism-oriented educational activities as an effective tool for developing spatial thinking among school students. The relevance of the research is driven by the need to enhance spatial competencies amid the digitalization of education and the strengthening of students' local identity. We propose an original model, GeoEduMap, which integrates pedagogical, cognitive, and technological components, including tiered diagnostics, task typologies, cartographic layers, and routes of interaction. The methodology is based on systemic-activity, cultural-historical, and cartographic approaches. Special attention is given to content localization through the use of authentic local history materials. The results of the study expand the methodological horizons of both local history and geographic education by integrating digital tools into meaning-oriented spatial learning practices.