Sustainable Development of the Infrastructure of the City of Astana Since the Establishment of the Capital as a Factor of Tourism Development

Zharas Berdenov, Yersin Kakimzhanov, Kamshat Arykbayeva, Kalibek Assylbekov (), Jan Andrzej Wendt, Kulyash D. Kaimuldinova, Aidana Beketova (), Gulshat Ataeva and Tolga Kara
Additional contact information
Zharas Berdenov: Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Str., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Yersin Kakimzhanov: Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Str., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Kamshat Arykbayeva: Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Str., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Kalibek Assylbekov: Department of Geomatics and Digital Archeology, Margulan Institute of Archeology, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Jan Andrzej Wendt: Institute of Socio-Economic Geography and Spatial Management, University of Gdańsk, 80-309 Gdańsk, Poland
Kulyash D. Kaimuldinova: Department of Geography and Ecology, Abai Kazakh National Pedagogical University, Almaty 050100, Kazakhstan
Aidana Beketova: Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Str., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Gulshat Ataeva: Faculty of Natural Sciences, L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, 2 Satpayev Str., Astana 010000, Kazakhstan
Tolga Kara: Ministry of National Education of Republic of Turkiye, Kocaeli 41040, Türkiye

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-22

Abstract: The underdevelopment of tourism infrastructure remains a critical barrier to the growth of the tourism sector in both the capital and regional areas. This article examines the concept and structure of tourism infrastructure, synthesizes methodological approaches for its evaluation, and identifies the strengths and limitations of these approaches. The study introduces a novel methodology for assessing the development of tourism infrastructure in the capital city. Based on the assessment, the city’s regions are categorized into four levels of infrastructure development: high, above average, average, and below average. The findings highlight the key factors driving tourism development and the obstacles limiting infrastructure progress, while also proposing strategic directions for its enhancement. Achieving optimal levels of infrastructure provision is identified as a crucial condition for advancing the tourism sector. The development of tourism infrastructure should be prioritized in regional economic policy. In line with the state’s “Concept for the Development of the Tourism Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2023–2029”, this study emphasizes the need for a streamlined and precise classification of tourism infrastructure components based on a comprehensive framework. The evaluation is conducted using an integrated indicator that captures the development level of key elements: accommodation infrastructure, international event venues, and access to leisure and entertainment. Additionally, the article provides a comparative analysis of the current state of tourism infrastructure relative to the early stages of the capital’s development and tracks the dynamics of tourism indicators from 2010 to 2024. Several interrelated challenges affecting infrastructure growth have been identified. Notably, the study reveals that hosting international events and forums has significantly boosted inbound tourism compared to regional averages in Kazakhstan, although it has also constrained the potential for tourism business growth in other regions. The practical insights derived from this study offer a comprehensive understanding of the state of tourism infrastructure in Astana, which can inform future research and policy development for tourism infrastructure in major urban areas.

Keywords: tourism infrastructure; urban infrastructure; tourism development challenges; Astana; tourism potential (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/24/10931/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/24/10931/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:24:p:10931-:d:1543068

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().