community based tourism kazakhstan

Sustainability of the community-based ecotourism development in the Aksu-Zhabagly nature reserve, Kazakhstan: An evaluation through local residents' perception

2022, REGION

The development of community-based ecotourism (CBE) has the potential to preserve biodiversity and protect the environment, as well as play an important role in the socio-cultural, economic and politically sustainable development of the community. This paper assesses the implementation of CBE development and compares the sustainability of ecotourism development between the Zhabagly community and the Abaiyl community. The data is obtained mainly through the household questionnaire survey, field observations, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. 222 representative families were surveyed with 5-point Likert scale questions in this paper including 166 Zhabagly and 56 Abaiyl participants. The study used 18 indicators based on 4 dimensions: environmental, sociocultural, economic and political. Results from this analysis indicate that the sustainability of CBE development in two communities is slightly different in all 4 dimensions. Zhabagly community is more successful in achieving sustainable CBE development than the Abaiyl community. The results reveal that the overall evaluation of the two communities on sustainability is moderate. However, both communities demonstrate that, potentially, they are politically unsustainable. As a result, we initially assert that the sustainability of CBE development in the Aksu-Zhabagly nature reserve (NR) is far from perfect. In particular, the positive economic and political impact of tourism development is not obvious. To address this shortcoming, tourism development organizations need to jointly develop a design policy for the sustainable development of CBE.

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Imanaly Akbar

Geojournal of Tourism and Geosites

Many stakeholders believe that developing community-based ecotourism (CBET) in vulnerable nature reserves effectively ensures greater conservation of natural and cultural resources, empowers host communities, and improves their socio-economic well-being. This paper assesses the current status of the CBET development in the Aksu-Jabagly nature reserve (NR), located in the south part of Kazakhstan. To understand ecotourism development status, 222 representative households from two neighboring communities of Aksu-Jabagly NR were surveyed with 5-point Likert scale questions. At the same time, two tourism relevant experts were interviewed. The results of examining the three indicators (community tourism relevance, community participation rank, and community empowerment), showed that the neighboring community relevance with the tourism in Aksu-Jabagly NR was low, the community residents' participation rank in tourism was also at the lower level, and the community’s empowerment status is not ideal. As a result, we initially asserted that the status of CBET development in Aksu-Jabagly NR is not well, in particular, the positive economic and social impact of tourism development is not so obvious.

Scientific Research Publishing Inc.

This study investigates the community-based ecotourism (CBE) model using a sample of the Aksu-Zhabagly nature reserve (NR). The aim is to propose a suitable CBE model for Aksu-Zhabgly nature-based tourism destinations by employing a combination of field observation, examination, evaluation, and SWOT analysis. The study determines the strategic suggestions for CBE model designing by the results of SWOT analysis. It concludes that convenient transportation and superior location, diversified wild animals and plants, rich in ethnocultural resources, traditional and tranquil life in a typical rural setting, hospitality and positive attitude of locals to tourism and great potential of the region for sustainable development of ecotourism are the strengths. At the same time, the far residential location from the provincial cities, low-quality service, outdated facilities and shortage of skilled employees in tourism management are the main weakness. Another group of constraints to tourism development is lack of tourism marketing and promotion agencies, lack of transparency, poor institution arrangement and corruption, and lack of preferential policies for CBE development. Finally, the paper recommends that economic development, environmental protection, culture and heritage, marketing and image, favorable political environment, and local residents' empowerment are the main essential to effectively implement the sustainable development of CBE in the Aksu-Zhabagly tourist destination.

Eva Erdelyi , Ibrahim Asadov

Growing dissatisfaction with mass tourism, ecotourism had become a major tool for achieving conservation and sustainable development goals by many developing countries by the mid. 1980s. Today, it is a major source of income for many developing countries across the world with being less destructive in the usage of natural resources than alternative economic sectors such as agriculture and logging. This study is concentrated on investigating and researching ecotourism within the context of national parks, more precisely within Shahdag National Park (SNP) of Azerbaijan. This study aims to find the existing gaps, disadvantages and challenges in the ecotourism system of SNP, identify the opinion and level of education of people of Azerbaijan about ecotourism and sustainability in general. To identify these, data were collected, and both quantitative and qualitative methods were implemented. Primary research included a questionnaire survey and interview. As the main result, it can be con...

Acta geographica Slovenica

Sanja Obradović

This study explores local community attitudes toward ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism in the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia using the Sustainable Tourism Attitude Scale (SUS-TAS). Residents of the Zasavica Special Nature Reserve acknowledge the sociocultural and economic benefits of ecotourism development while recognizing the negative impacts of development on the natural environment. Low awareness of non-charismatic species among residents contrasts with strong awareness of them among large communities of scientists and naturalists in Serbia. This study shows the importance of local community support for ecotourism and conservation development. Moreover, the study revealed that the SUS-TAS scale can be successfully applied in ecotourism research.

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Nature conservation efforts cannot succeed without stakeholder participation. The inherent complexity of nature-based ecotourism has made the development of sustainable ecotourism operations a challenge, so it is essential to increase community stakeholder participation. Hence, this study investigates local community participation in Lar National Park (LNP) and the Jajrud Protected Area with the Sustainable Use of Natural Resource Areas (JPA) in Iran and evaluates how this influences the sustainability of ecotourism. This study found that in LNP, sustainable ecotourism development involving local communities is increasing because of the high level of attachment and interest to this part of pristine nature. In the JPA, the relationship between local community participation and ecotourism sustainability is significant too. As a result, natural habitats have been degraded and sustainability has decreased. To conserve these critically endangered natural areas, managers and decision-makers must increase community participation and education to encourage local communities to engage more in developing sustainable ecotourism.

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Community-based tourism (CBT) is conceived as a form of relatively low-scale tourism that is managed by a group of locally owned businesses to benefit the community and, in some cases, contribute to conservation (when taking place in or near protected areas) . It is marketed as a means of enhancing livelihoods and creating opportunities for community development and is defined as being in, owned, and managed by the community, which receives a sizable portion of the benefits.

1. Community-Based Tourism

2. tourists’ perceptions of cbt, 3. tourists’ sustainability preferences and community involvement, 4. community-based tourism in central asia.

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We introduce Kazakhstan to the world with its endless tourism potential and centuries-old unique national tradition of hospitality.

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Visit the World Nomad Games in Astana in September

From September 8-14 the fifth edition of the World Nomad Games will be held, this time in Astana. In 2022 in Turkey three thousand participants from 103 countries participated in 13 branches of sport. The Kazakhs have 20 branches programmed! Many of them involve horse riding or variations of wrestling. Write to us for tour programs.

Kazakhstan is huge, has a wide variety of peoples and landscapes, and still much off the beaten track. Whether your tour focuses more on nature or on culture – and most people prefer a mix of them – the one stable factor is adventure.

We offer tailor made tour programs in Kazakhstan. The programs on this website are examples of possible itineraries. With our knowledge of the country we gladly help you to create your ideal program.

In addition to tours in Kazakhstan we offer tours in the Central Asian neighbouring countries, have a look at www.centralasia-tours.com. And from November 2015 we also offer tours in Belarus, Ukraine & Moldova, see www.belarus-ukrainetours.com

Round Tours Culture & Nature

Classical individual tours in Kazakhstan, some of them in combination with  the Central Asian neighbours. In case you wish to make a tour with other travellers please check our tour calendar. It is also possible to promote a tour there with your own preferred travelling dates.

Round Tours with a special Theme

You will find here group tours to special events like the Almaty Marathon and rocket launches at Baikanur. But you can apply for them individually. In addition we offer individual tours with special themes like a Wilderness Tour in the Kazakh Steppe and an Ice-SkatingTour.

Short Trips

Trips for 1-4 days are well-possible, especially from Astana and Almaty. Around Astana one can enjoy the typical Central Kazakh hilly steppe. While in the Almaty region popular destinations include Charyn Canyon, Altyn Emel nature park, Kolsai mountain lakes a.o.

Sports and Family Tours

Interested to participate in the Almaty Marathon, an Ultra-Trail Event in the steppe? Or in the Astana Ironman, a Wintersports holidays in Kazakhstan? We offer you a number of sports programs. Plus a specially designed family tour in Kazakhstan and Kyrgystan for summer!

Why 2024 is the prime time to discover Kazakhstan

Direct flight routes, festivals with nomadic flair and millennia-old natural beauty are drawing travellers to the Kazakh Steppe this year. Here's how to explore the best of the country's landscapes, culture and events in 2024.

Stretching far out into the horizon, the vast grass seas of the Great Steppe roll across Central Asia in a rugged and dramatic fashion. Though occasionally roamed by the rare horse rider or lone nomad, the plains of Kazakhstan are largely unexplored by the majority of travellers. But this beautiful, remote region is increasingly showing its modern identity to the world through its cities, events and transport hubs. Thanks to a number of direct flight routes from London and 30-day visa-free access for UK visitors, it's now easier than ever to experience Kazakhstan’s distinctive culture and landscapes. Here’s how to do it.

Most visitors will enter Kazakhstan from the forest-swathed southeast, landing in Almaty . Divided by dense thickets of pine and birch, the city’s surrounding green mountain peaks conceal vast lakes and twisting horse-back trails. In Kolsai Lakes National Park, Lake Kaindy’s cerulean waters draw the most attention. Here, a landslide triggered by an earthquake formed a natural dam and submerged a spruce forest beneath the surface of the lake. It’s now surrounded by picturesque hiking trails and secluded accommodation options. For equally dramatic yet drastically different scenery, travel from Almaty to Charyn Canyon. Easily traversable, this vast red and golden gorge is cut through by a walkable or driveable (in a 4x4) trail guiding visitors to dizzying desert viewpoints.

Those keen to venture deeper into central Kazakhstan can take the train into the region of Turkistan and the historic Silk Road city of Shymkent . Life has persevered here since the fourth century, with the city playing host to Sufi sheikhs and Mongol leaders, and becoming a centre of Islamic learning under the Timurids. Hop over low-lying mud-brick walls and stroll between the turquoise-tiled domes that cap mausoleums around the city, or roam the battlement ridges of the protective outer wall. The city’s Uzbek architecture and Persian designs were conserved under Soviet rule, making it an ideal stop for those curious about the history of the Turkic Steppe and a great base for further exploration of the Turkistan Region.

When in the west, the port city of Aktau and its Caspian shores offer easy access to the otherworldly plateaus that characterise the Mangystau Region. Laced with lines of ochre rock and amber streaks, here colourful geology enshrouds labyrinthine desert trails and dramatic gorges. Sharp jutting ridges and undulating rock formations shadow clear traces of 50 million years of life existing in its canyons — palaeontologists regularly unearth new evidence of animal life in the Ustyurt Nature Reserve. From large Tyrannosaurus rex and mammoths to giant fish fossilised within the Paleozoic seas, the fauna of the region has been millennia in the making.  

All these landscapes have been navigated for centuries by the nomadic people of the steppe, whose ancient traditions you can witness today. Observe displays of horse riding or falconers flying their hunting eagles before settling down to try beshbarmak , a platter of boiled meat and innards served with a glass of fermented milk to settle the stomach. Alternatively, order qurt , a cheese made from goat’s or camel’s milk that’s stored in saddlebags and churned by the galloping motion of the nomads’ horses.

How to travel to Kazakhstan in 2024  

Why now? In September 2024, competitors from all over the Eurasian Steppe will converge in Astana for the fifth World Nomad Games . Athletes participate in events like mounted archery, falconry, goat pulling and horseback wrestling.

Where to stay? Visitors from the UK should base themselves in either Aktau or Almaty, both of which are accessible via direct flights from London Heathrow with Air Astana up to four times a week. These cosmopolitan hubs serve as gateways to the country’s best natural and cultural experiences. To catch the World Nomad Games, take a domestic flight to the country’s capital, Astana.

When to travel? Seasons are an intense affair in Kazakhstan as temperatures can range from 40C to -20C. The best time to visit is during the spring or autumn, when the climate is more moderate. In winter, head to Almaty, where ski areas are accessed via cable-car.  

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Transformative training programme in lagos unveils strategies for community-based tourism development.

“The pandemic affected the tourism industry, and after which some people left the industry. I was able to remain relevant because of my passion for tourism. That’s one of the motivating factors for me. Ever since you took the position, have you been able to effectively play your role? What impact have you been able to make in your community?

“We have tourism states like Akwa Ibom and Calabar, which are making impact, even with the little resources available. They are fortunate now because the governors are tourism-minded. They have realised that this is another way to generate income for their state without relying on the federal government. They’ve been able to revive Ibom Air.

“Landmark was pulled down recently by the Lagos state government. As soon as that happened, Akwa-Ibom State Government cashed in on that situation and struck a deal with Landmark. Landmark was operated by private organizations, while Lagos State Government is here. While Landmark was here, how many of you were able to see it as an opportunity for your local government to crack into it? As an officer, you need to go out and monitor places.” Abiodun further highlighted aspects of community-based tourism and how they can participate to feel its impact in terms of financial gains.

She also spoke on the responsibility of tourism officers in government, as enablers of community-based tourism, adding, “There should also be a balance when you talk about generating profit. Are you talking of generating profit for the community or the government? You represent the government, at the same time, make sure the people and culture you are representing are satisfied and give them a reason to participate again.

“CBT is a sustainable and equitable form of tourism that involves active participation and empowerment of local communities in the planning, development, management and distribution of benefits from tourism activities within their geographic area. Each local government has something peculiar to it. By interacting with the locals, you learn about the culture and foundation of the community and research on ways to revive what has been forgotten. As you get information from them, work on it, and pass them to the right authorities.

“To sustain tourism in your local government, you need to get the right information to know how to kick-start it, implement it, and be able to contain it. CBT plays a crucial role in sustainable tourism development for several reasons. Local communities can be empowered when they are involved in the decision-making process, allowing them to take ownership of tourism initiatives and providing opportunities for social and economic development. The locals will be the ones to tell you how to go about the festival, and what should or shouldn’t be done. You have to respect their culture.”

“Cultural heritages can be preserved. CBT prioritizes the preservation and promotion of local culture, as well conservation of national resources by environmental stewardship by encouraging sustainable use of natural resources and minimizing negative impact on the environment.

Odeyemi said the tourism industry is dynamic and does not wait for anybody, adding, “As a tourism officer, do you know the kind of industries or how many sectors you used to have in your locality? Aside from civil service job, your salary can never be more than N150,000, but there are businesses you can do in your local government as a tourism officer and you would make money. Do you know how many event centres, travel agencies, hotels, logistic companies and store operators are in your locality?

Tourism is an industry within an industry. It is so wide; many of you, when you are commuting out of your house, you are passing through a tourism heritage site, until you get to your office. Those who are officers in Kano State tourism board are making their money. Every month, aside salaries, they are collecting allowances. When they receive guests from another state, that visitor can be allowed to stay in any hotel free of charge.

“When you talk of tourism, there are three players – the service providers, the tourism services and the public sector. The public sector doesn’t own any of the infrastructure in tourism. They are regulators. The first to organize tourism in Nigeria is the Nigerian Tourism Board (NTB), which was set up by Decree 54 in 1976. This was superceded by Decree 81 of 1992. That decree clearly states out the duties and functions of the federal, state and local governments.”

Odeyemi gave the historical evolution to the changes that have taken place in the regulatory regimes over the years in the sector and where it is today, saying, “In 2004, there was an Act of the National Assembly, and in 2022, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation had another amendment, changing it to Nigerian Tourism Development Agency. Since then, if there is any exhibition in tourism, they are incommunicado. The hotel licensing law in Lagos State of February 2003 was the beginning of recognition, which was superceded by Lagos Hotel licensing Edict of November 2003. The edict is after money, and it doesn’t look at how to manage the tourism attraction.

“Lagos State is part of tourism. In those days, people come from Ibadan to visit the beach. Today, there is nothing like that. You have to put your functions under a good edict that would guide you. There are 10,800 hotels in Lagos today, and not all of them are registered. Without you, the state cannot succeed in doing this.”

“When you talk about marketing tourism, I laugh. How many of your attractions are available? You don’t sell what you don’t have. That amendment to the edict gives room for the existence of tourism building in each local government of the state. The Nigerian Tourism Board doesn’t have local governments in the law setting it up. The 1992 amendment stated that all 774 local governments must have tourism units. If your boss or director doesn’t know what tourism is, that could be the case. But on the other hand, they don’t know the enormity of your job. You must take census of all the population. In Lagos State, we have natural resources, man-made resources and cultural resources, and theme parks, but they are not fully utilized.”

Odeyemi broke down the levels of tourism marketing available within which tourism officers can operate, noting, “In the tourism market, we have two aspects; the International and the domestic. Within the domestic, do you know there are some people in Lekki, Ajah or Ikoyi, who don’t know Fagba? Some people in Sango have never been to Ikorodu. How many universities do we have within Lagos and Ogun States? After exams, the students would want to go out and enjoy themselves. As tourism officers, you should have packaged a few places for them and you are making your money.

• Gloria Abiodun

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Study Report: Indonesia Digital Ecosystem Assessment 2024

June 10, 2024.

The Indonesia Digital Ecosystem Assessment (IDEA) is an effort to enhance support for community-based tourism and the blue economy in five Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSPs) in Indonesia, namely Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Likupang, Lake Toba, and Borobudur. The objective was to map the conditions and characteristics of the digital ecosystem, analyze the causes and disparities in digital ecosystem development, and formulate recommendations for digital ecosystem development strategies for community-based tourism and blue economy actors in the DPSPs. 

The report concluded that sectors in all DPSPs hold significant potential and are currently in a developmental phase in how they interface with the digital ecosystem. The condition of digital infrastructure and supporting infrastructure is not yet optimal. There are disparities in the DPSPs because the level of literacy and digital adoption in the community greatly influences the ecosystem. The report has included the recommended strategy for developing the digital ecosystem in policy directions.

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