Territorial assessment of the east kazakhstan geo/ecotourism: Sustainable travel prospects in the southern altai area
Chlachula J. Zhensikbayeva N.Z. Yegorina A.V. Kabdrakhmanova N.K. Czerniawska J. Kumarbekuly S.
April 2021MDPI AG
Geosciences (Switzerland)
2021#11Issue 4
In spite of picturesque landscapes, natural beauties and authentic traditional lifestyles to be seen in East Kazakhstan, tourism is far from being developed. The Kazakh Altai (called the Kazakh Switzerland) is one the most colourful parts of the country and, indeed, all Central Asia. The attractiveness of this geographically isolated region (formerly a part of the Imperial Russia), consisting of rocky semi-deserts, vast parkland-steppes, and rugged mountain terrains, is reflected in its distinctive geological and geomorphological character, its pristine nature, and its extraordinary geodiversity and biodiversity. This study presents a roster of geotourism and ecotourism loci for the broader Altai area within a framework of sustainable development. The modelled assessment of the tourism and recreation potential is based upon multi-proxy analyses of GIS, DEM, and cartographic data. It integrates the most appealing natural (biotic and abiotic) site-specific natural features across all physiographic zones within a broad region. The most significant and representative geosites fall within three geographic sectors suitable for geo- and ecotourism. Prospects for travel to these places are enhanced by the presence of numerous prehistoric archaeological sites and historical monuments, which document the rich, multi-ethnic background of Kazakhstan and the ancient Silk Road that traverses it. These geological, environmental and cultural resources, and the regional geoheritage and environmental conservation concepts have been figured into strategies for economic growth of rural Kazakhstan. Visitors travelling to this most appealing region are constrained by climate of pronounced continentality, seasonality, geographic accessibility, the international border-zone regulations and a lack of services of an international standard.
Ecosystem, recreation , Geodiversity , Geosites , Southern altai , Sustainable development
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Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Department of Geomorphology, Adam Mickiewicz University, B. Krygowskiego 10, Poznań, 61-680, Poland
Environmental Research Centre, Nerudova 2181, Stare Mesto, 686 03, Czech Republic
Department of Ecology and Geography, Sarsen Amanzholov East Kazakhstan State University, 34 Gvardeiskoy Divizii, Ust’-Kamenogorsk, 070000, Kazakhstan
Department of Physical and Economy Geography, L.N. Gumilyev Eurasian National University, 2 Satpaeva, Nur-Sultan, 010008, Kazakhstan
Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation, Anthropocene Research Unit, Adam Mickiewicz University, B. Krygowskiego 10, Poznań, 61-680, Poland
Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation
Environmental Research Centre
Department of Ecology and Geography
Department of Physical and Economy Geography
Institute of Geoecology and Geoinformation
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