Imanaly Akbar

Rural tourism is often promoted as a means of advancing gender equality, yet little is known about how women’s empowerment translates into lasting behavioral support for tourism, particularly outside a few well-studied regions. Drawing on Empowerment Theory, Social Exchange Theory and the Capability Approach, this study tests a model in which women’s economic, social and political empowerment shape their satisfaction with tourism, which influences participation and long-term support for tourism development, both directly and through participation. A census survey covered 194 female residents of Saty village, Kazakhstan, recognized as a UN Tourism Best Tourism Village (initial response rate 87.8%; effective rate 81.5%). Structural equation modelling with 5,000 bias-corrected bootstrap resamples confirmed a six-factor measurement model and supported all ten hypothesized paths. Social empowerment was the strongest predictor of satisfaction (β = 0.332), followed by economic (β = 0.262) and political empowerment (β = 0.215). Satisfaction predicted participation (β = 0.377), and support was predicted by both participation (β = 0.243) and satisfaction (β = 0.286). Participation partially mediated the effect of satisfaction on support (indirect β = 0.091; total β = 0.378). Satisfaction also carried the effects of economic (β = 0.099), social (β = 0.125) and political empowerment (β = 0.081) to participation. The results show that satisfaction acts both as a direct driver of advocacy and as an indirect route to support. Social empowerment, understood as recognition, skill development and access to networks, emerges as the main lever for gender-responsive tourism policy in Central Asia.

Protected places increasingly serve as informal learning spaces that influence visitors’ environmental understanding and behavior. This study examines the role of geographical knowledge (GK) in fostering sustainable behavior (SB) using educational methods in ecotourism contexts. A dual-path conceptual model is developed to investigate this, wherein educational influence mediates the links between GK and both cognitive (environmental attitude or EA) and affective (place attachment or PA) dimensions. Data were gathered from 340 individuals, comprising university students and visiting tourists at the Aksu-Zhabagly Nature Reserve in Kazakhstan, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The interactions among the constructs were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). The findings demonstrate that GK substantially improves perceived educational impact (EI), subsequently reinforcing EA, PA, and SB. Although both location attachment and EA positively affect SB, emotional attachment proved to be the most significant predictor. The model accounts for 81% of the variance in SB, underscoring the significance of educational experiences in protected areas and illustrating that the development of sustainability encompasses both cognitive and affective processes.

1. Policymakers typically perceive infrastructure investment as a reliable method to stimulate tourism expansion and enhance local welfare. Enhancements to transportation, amenities, and tourism in...

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of recent trends in road traffic accidents (RTAs) and road traffic mortality in Kazakhstan from demographic, spatial, and infrastructural perspectives. The research is grounded in the methodological frameworks of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) indicator 3.6.1, the Safe System approach, and the Vision Zero concept. The analysis draws on official national statistics for the period 2018–2022, reports from international organizations (WHO, OECD/ITF), and infrastructure safety assessment data from the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP). The findings indicate that despite a relative decline in the number of RTAs in Kazakhstan, the level of road traffic mortality has not decreased and has even increased in certain years. This pattern suggests that measures primarily aimed at reducing crash frequency have been insufficient in mitigating the severity of their consequences. A disproportionately high share of fatalities occurs within built-up areas, particularly among pedestrians and minors, highlighting fundamental shortcomings in the safety-oriented design of urban road infrastructure. iRAP assessments reveal that the majority of the road network is rated at 1–3 stars, underscoring the decisive role of infrastructural factors in road traffic mortality. The study concludes that Kazakhstan’s current road safety policies are inadequate to achieve the targets of SDG indicator 3.6.1 and emphasizes the need for systemic, prevention-oriented strategies based on Vision Zero principles. The results provide a scientific basis for improving road safety through the integration of spatial planning and infrastructure-focused policy interventions.

The digital transformation of the tourism industry has significantly improved service efficiency, booking convenience, and customer experience. However, the widespread use of online platforms, electronic payments, and mobile applications has also introduced substantial cybersecurity risks, particularly concerning the protection of travelers’ personal and financial data. This paper explores the key cybersecurity threats facing the global tourism industry, with a specific focus on Kazakhstan’s emerging digital travel infrastructure. The study employs a multi-method approach, including analysis of cyber threats, a comparative review of international data protection regulations, evaluation of technical and organizational security practices, and an empirical survey involving tourism and aviation sector professionals in Kazakhstan. The findings indicate that phishing attacks, payment data breaches, and malware are among the most common threats affecting tourism businesses. These vulnerabilities are often exacerbated by outdated security systems, insufficient staff training, and limited awareness of best practices in data protection. Through a comparative analysis of cybersecurity legislation in Kazakhstan, the European Union (GDPR), the United States (CCPA), and Singapore (PDPA), the study highlights significant regulatory gaps and enforcement limitations within Kazakhstan’s legal framework. Survey results further reveal a lack of preparedness in small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, where modern security technologies and training programs are not widely adopted. Based on these insights, the paper recommends implementing multi-factor authentication, encryption protocols, regular cybersecurity audits, and employee awareness initiatives. The use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and blockchain is also encouraged to enhance threat detection and data integrity. This research underscores the urgent need for a robust cybersecurity strategy in the tourism industry. By strengthening data protection measures and aligning with global standards, tourism companies can safeguard consumer trust, reduce financial risks, and support the secure digital growth of the travel sector.

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.

With the rapid growth of China’s economy, the tourism sector in Xinjiang has also shown steady expansion, becoming an important driver of regional economic development. Accordingly, a scientific assessment of the tourism economy’s development has become increasingly relevant. Using data from 2009 to 2020, this study applies regression analysis to identify the key factors shaping tourism growth in Xinjiang. Total tourism revenue (Y) was used as the dependent variable, with independent variables including tourist arrivals (X₁), passenger traffic (X₂), tourist person-days (X₃), tourism turnover (X₄), and inbound overnight visitors (X₅). The initial regression analysis revealed strong multicollinearity among X₁, X₂, and X₄ (VIF > 10), which necessitated the use of stepwise regression to refine the model. The final model demonstrated that tourist arrivals (β = 1.108, p < 0.001) and tourism turnover (β = 0.409, p < 0.001) exert the greatest influence on revenue, explaining 91% of the variance (adjusted R² = 0.91, F = 56.696, p < 0.001). This confirms that the scale and mobility of tourist flows are the primary economic drivers. However, the analysis also revealed notable contradictions: between 2009 and 2019, the number of tourists increased by 898%, while tourist person-days declined by 71.5%, indicating shorter stays and weaker engagement. A negative correlation between revenue and passenger traffic (r = –0.489) suggests overburdened infrastructure. Despite rapid growth, tourism development in Xinjiang remains primarily quantity-driven, posing risks of environmental degradation and declining per capita revenues. Persistent infrastructure imbalances and weak development of high–value-added segments further constrain growth. Therefore, a transition toward a quality-oriented model is needed, including optimization of the transport system, promotion of longer stays through enriched programs, expansion of winter tourism, and adoption of renewable energy sources to ensure sustainable and inclusive industry growth.

This paper analyzes the spatial transformation of small and medium-sized cities in the Bukhara region of Uzbekistan within the context of post-Soviet urbanization and institutional restructuring. The study employs an interdisciplinary methodology combining remote sensing, GIS analysis, the calculation of morphometric indices (UEI, CI, FC, etc.), and clustering of urbanization trajectories. Based on satellite data and official statistics, four distinct models of spatial development are identified: agglomerative growth, compact expansion, fragmented development, and stagnation. The findings reveal a high degree of morphological and functional differentiation among cities, reflecting uneven infrastructure access, institutional inertia, and demographic polarization. Particular attention is paid to vulnerable settlements exhibiting depopulation and spatial fragmentation. The study concludes with scenario modeling of urban dynamics through 2035 and provides recommendations for adaptive planning aimed at sustainability and territorial equity. The results may serve as a foundation for the formulation of sub-regional strategies and indicative models for managing urban growth in peripheral regions of Central Asia.

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.