Cultural and geographic drivers of tourism cluster development in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan

A tourism cluster in Kazakhstan's Turkestan region, centered around the Mausoleum of Khoja Ahmed Yasawi—a key attraction drawing 61% of tourist interest—can significantly boost infrastructure, economic growth, and international visitor flows between Turkic countries. The study identified critical needs: upgrading infrastructure (40%), enhancing service quality (27%), and strengthening marketing efforts (17%). Using SWOT analysis and interviews, researchers mapped cultural-geographic opportunities and developed a structural model for cluster formation, emphasizing the region's potential for cultural, medical, and health tourism.

Tokbergenova, U. (2026). Cultural and geographic drivers of tourism cluster development in the Turkestan region of Kazakhstan. Kazakh International Journal of Geography and Environment, 1(1). https://doi.org/10.51889/kijge.2026.1.1.001