1. Introduction Kazakhstan is unique on a condition of natural land- scapes which differ in an amazing variety and inex- haustible opportunities for active holiday. It has all necessary – the huge territory, rich historical and cultural heritage, and in certain regions – the un- touched, wild nature. We can offer tourists different types of tour- ism and we have everything to develop ecological, active, extreme, historical and informative types of tourism. Kazakhstan promptly develops in the con- ditions of market economy, but develop mainly oil- extracting and the metallurgical industries, as for tourism, it at a stage of prolonged origin (Keneeva, 2016). The international tourism at us has not the best times. Backwardness of tourist infrastructure, low quality of service, the steady myth about Kazakhstan as about the country of the increased risk led to the PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT OF TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN Тangal Tursynova (1), Zharas Berdenov (2), Roza Faley (3) (1) Department of Physical and Economic Geography, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan 13, 010008, Astana, Kazakhstan, ORCID: 0000- 0003-4403-6737 e-mail: tangaltt@mail.ru (2) Department of Physical and Economic Geography, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan 13, 010008, Astana, Kazakhstan, ORCID: 0000- 0002-2898-8212 e-mail: berdenov-z@mail.ru (corresponding autor) (3) Department of Physical and Economic Geography, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Kazhymukan 13, 010008, Astana, Kazakhstan, ORCID: 0000- 0003-4197-4576 e-mail: rozika_9595@mail.ru Citation Tursynova T., Berdenov A., Faley R., 2019, Problems and prospects of development of tourism infrastructure in the Republic of Kazahstan, Journal of Geography, Politics and Society, 9(1), 28–32. Abstract Analyzed the state of tourism infrastructure in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Displaying poor development of the basic elements of tourism infrastructure: transport, accommodation, catering, training. Thеre were formulated the ways of solving the existing problems of development of tourism infrastructure, particularly in the information and organizational support. Key words international tourism, tourism infrastructure, accommodation facilities, tourist activities, foreign investors, public-private part- nership, Kazakhstan. Received: 24 December 2018 Accepted: 30 January 2019 Published: 31 March 2019 Journal of Geography, Politics and Society 2019, 9(1), 28–32 DOI 10.26881/jpgs.2019.1.04 Problems and prospects of development of tourism infrastructure in the Republic of Kazakhstan 29 fact that now less than 1% of a world tourist stream are the share of our country (Vahitova, 2008). According the growing importance of the de- velopment of tourism, this activity has increasing importance in the modern economy (Berdenov…, 2016). The relevance of development of a national tourist brand is that tourism in Kazakhstan is one of the priority industries of development of the non-oil sector of economy. So, during the 27th meeting of Council of foreign investors at the President of Kazakhstan the head of state declared unilateral establishment of a visa-free regime for citizens of 10 states which showed the highest investment activity in Kazakhstan. In this list the USA, the Netherlands, Great Britain, France, Ger- many, Italy, Malaysia, the UAE, the Republic of Korea and Japan (Esembekova, 2015). In view of actions taken within implementation of the Concept of development of the tourist indus- try of RK till 2020 and also potential of a number of actions of the international scale (EHRO-2017, nomi- nation of candidate of Kazakhstan for holding the Winter Olympic Games of 2022, etc.), it is possible to speak about discovery of ample opportunities for in- crease in degree of recognition of Kazakhstan in the world market of tourism and attraction to the coun- try of foreign guests. The joint-stock company „National agency on export and investments of „KAZNEX INVEST” is en- gaged in attraction of investments into construction of infrastructure including in the tourism industry. Primary activity of KAZNEX INVEST is attraction of direct foreign investments, and our tourism industry can have a big future when begin to make invest- ments in it, including, foreign investors. Now in the Ministry for Investments and Development (WORLD) the department of the industry of tourism which deals with this issue works, KAZNEX INVEST closely cooperates with it (Ministry…). ”After all, it is neces- sary to develop the tourist industry – to pave ways, to build hotel complexes that is impossible without the corresponding investments” (Keneeva, 2016). 2. Materials and methods Creation of the developed competitive tourist indus- try with competitive tourist’s products will provide jobs (Nikolaev, 2003), stable growth in incomes of the state due to increase in volumes of entrance and internal tourism. Development of a tourist cluster will define positioning of the territory and will influ- ence forming of positive image of the state. The main work consists in search of the investors ready to invest in tourism infrastructure. Meanwhile this beginning of a way. Projects which actively keeps are created and even already attracts tourists. Also work with the national companies, in particular, is conducted with Astana Expo 2017, Air Astana. For example, recently in Tokyo signed the memo- randum with the Japanese company on attraction of investments and tourists to Kazakhstan, meetings with representatives of national carrier were organ- ized. In Korea documents were also signed with the companies in the field of attraction of investments, contacts in Spain are come. During different holding actions abroad we see the interest of other countries wishing to cooperate (Sovmestnoe..., 2016). Also there is an analysis of the existing problems, there are barriers in development of tourism and a way of their decision. In general, tourism needs to be considered the important industry, the sec- ond after oil which can bring income in economy of Kazakhstan. Development of tourism will also significantly af- fect investment attractiveness of the country (The strategic plan…, 2011). First of all, investors come to Kazakhstan as ordinary tourists – so there is their ac- quaintance to Kazakhstan. In many states it is developed by country „promo- tion” – focus of the companies on tourism. For exam- ple, in Finland it is FinPro. KAZNEX INVEST conducts work in the same direction and selected the sepa- rate Kaznex Tourism Invest project. Within this pro- ject, first, work on formation of favorable investment image of Kazakhstan in the international community will be carried out. Secondly, work on attraction of financial resources on creation of modern resorts for mass internal tourism will be conducted. Thirdly, work with the companies on export of the Kazakh- stan tourist’s product is planned. The memorandum was signed with the German company on development of tourist capacity of Mangystau Region. The company will build several hotels on the bank of the Caspian Sea. Ahead there is a lot of work – creation of the road map, signing of intergovernmental agreement (Baktiyarova, 2018). Also the Republic of Kazakhstan at a stage of ne- gotiations with many other foreign companies. For example, inovnik, investors. Also interesting projects on construction of hotel complexes are offered. De- cided to set the object – development of beach tour- ism in Kazakhstan. So far were focused on Mangys- tau Region to create the resort area on the Caspian Sea. The beach season in Kazakhstan very short also lasts two – at most three months. Many hotel complexes will belong to individuals or the compa- nies, and they need to get profit all the year round. 30 Тangal Tursynova, Zharas Berdenov, Roza Faley Therefore it is necessary to develop them as year- round health resorts that they functioned also in the winter. There is a set of problems: infrastructure, trans- port, visa, insurance, service. Today in Kazakhstan the set of travel agencies most of which part literally survives works or even is on the verge of bankrupt- cy. Many of them are focused on outbound tourism (fig. 1). 3. Analysis and discussion The problem at us exists with national tourist brands. For example, if we are invited to Japan, we know that there – an Oriental cherry, a kimono, geishas, a tea ceremony. With Kazakhstan at foreigners such asso- ciation is not present. Therefore to accounts necessary to begin work with creation of a tourist brand - a logo which has to be bright, substantial, positive, transfer an image of Kazakhstan, our hospitality. Further it is necessary to create anchor brands which have to be associated with the country. And it is necessary to approach it from the scientific point of view. One of big problems is an absence of tourist ex- perts in the market (Kvartalnov, Romanov, 2008). Though, training in tourism in higher education in- stitutions of Kazakhstan is conducted, among them there are no experts, understanding tourism as the industry. The problem still exists that there are no professional guides. It is also required to begin work on training of specialists, the receiving guests at the airport, in hotels. Experts in management of the in- dustry are necessary. Pay attention: all participants of the tourist market say about same that we lack infrastructure, roads and toilets. Nobody speaks about tourism, as about the system industry which demands an integrated approach. Many foreign tourists already come to the East Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the ecotourism when the traveler gets to the virgin nature is interesting to them, there can take place treatment. Constant guests to Mangystau Region come to see underground mosques and surprising landscapes of the ancient sea. For creation of positive image of Kazakhstan in the international tourist community cluster ap- proach should be applicable. In recent years in huge attention it is given to problems of hospitality and tourism and also the sharp growth of attention to clusters and cluster policy is noted. Their essential value for creation of long-term competitive benefits of the territories aimed at successful involvement of wide group of tourists is emphasized. In general the Concept provides development of five tourist clusters of the country: Astana, Almaty, East, Southern and Western Kazakhstan (fig. 2). The northern (Astana city) and southern (Almaty city) capitals are positioned as the centers of busi- ness tourism, Almaty also as the center of the inter- national mountaineering (fig. 2). Cluster East Kazakhstan – the center of develop- ment of ecological tourism. Cluster the Southern Kazakhstan – cultural tourism. !( !( !( !( !( !( ¬«7¬« 3 ¬«8 ¬«10 ¬« 2 ¬«9 ¬«11 ¬«5 ¬«1 ¬«6 ¬«14 ¬«13 ¬«4 ¬«12 Aktau Atyrau Almaty Astana Shymkent Karaganda 90°80°70°60°50° 55° 50° 45° 40° Map of Tour Operators in the regions of Kazakhstan 0 290 580145 Miles . regions of Kazakhstan Number of tour operators by city !( Atyrau - 1 !( Aktau - 2 !( Karaganda - 5 !( Shymkent - 8 !( Astana - 13 !( Almaty - 26 1 - Akmola region 3 - Aktobe region 2 - Almaty region 4 - Atyrau region 8 - East Kazakhstan region 6 - Jambyl Region 7 - Karaganda region 9 - Kostanay region 10 - Kyzylorda region 11 - Mangistau region 12-North-Kazakhstan region 14 - Pavlodar region 13 - Turkestan region 5 - West-Kazakhstan region Fig. 1. Card of a Sosredocheniye Kazakhstan tour of operators Source: own study. Problems and prospects of development of tourism infrastructure in the Republic of Kazakhstan 31 Cluster the Western Kazakhstan – cultural and beach tourism. 4. Outputs Three clusters envisage the implementation of na- tional projects: Burabai in the Astana cluster, the ski resort Southern Kaskelen and Kuk Zhailau in the Almaty cluster, Bukhtarma and Katon-Karagai in the East Kazakhstan cluster, Kenderli in the West Kazakh- stan cluster. Creation of the resort area assumes three ele- ments of capital expenditure – external trunk in- frastructure, internal engineering and tourist infra- structure and commercial objects. Considering that today the public-private part- nership (PPP) is at the peak of activity of discussion, it is possible to assume that its mechanisms are basic construction of attraction of off-budget investments into development of tourism in Kazakhstan. Effective development of the principles of PPP in the field of tourism assumes „distribution of obliga- tions” between the state and private partners. A main objective of PPP is development of infrastructure for the benefit of society by a join path of resources and experience of the state and business, implementa- tion of socially significant projects with the small- est expenses and to risks on condition of providing high-quality services to economic subjects. Besides, within the new law „About PPP” the private initiative within which the private partner can initiate implementation of the project on the mechanism of PPP concerning the object which is at it on the property rights or long-term rent is pos- sible. It agrees, statistics of tourism of Kazakhstan for 2015 – 97% of the tourist organizations are in a pri- vate property, in state only 3% of the tourist organi- zations (Esembekova, 2015). In other words, the world practice of use of the mechanism of PPP in the sphere of tourism answers the main objectives of development of the industry: • formation of positive image of Kazakhstan for growth of popularity of the country in the inter- national tourist community; • increase in cultural and educational level of Ka- zakhstan citizens and also familiarizing of foreign citizens with knowledge of history, culture and life of the people of our country; • attraction of the foreign capital to the country. Indicator of tourist mobility of the population of Ka- zakhstan – one of the lowest in the world. On export of tourist services Kazakhstan takes the 78th place in the world. On availability, the price and level of ser- vice, tourist services of Kazakhstan are not competi- tive in the world market and much more concede to foreign analogs. Limited opportunities of citizens, insufficiently developed tourist infrastructure, in- consistency of interests of the state and the private sector are deterrents for development of the tour- ist industry of Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan more than 2000 travel agencies, from them function, only 30% are engaged in the organization of entrance tourism, the others work for outbound tourism, especially for commercial shop tourism. 90°80°70°60°50° 55° 50° 45° 40° Map of Tourism development clusters in Kazakhstan 0 280 560140 Miles . Ca sp ia n S ea 1 2 2 2 3 3 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' '9 8 7 5 4 3 2 1 74°72°70°68°66° 52° 50° 0 130 26065 Miles Tourist areas of Akmola region Ü 1-Sights of Astana 2-Cultural monuments of Kokshetau 3-Monuments of Atbasar culture 4-The graves of the Andronovo culture 5-National Park Buyratau 7-Kokshetau National Park 8-Burabay National Park 9-Kurgazhinsky Reserve 1 - the center of development of ecological tourism 3 - cultural and beach tourism 2 - cultural tourism Fig. 2. Five tourist clusters of Kazakhstan Source: own study. 32 Тangal Tursynova, Zharas Berdenov, Roza Faley Entrance tourism in Kazakhstan is generally busi- ness tourism: the international conferences, exhibi- tions, seminars, by the way, of 90% of tourists visit Kazakhstan only once (Isabekov et al., 2016). Income gained from rendering tourist services is distributed between tourism organizations (domes- tic and foreign) and the state (taxes and fees). The greatest income connected with tourist activity has to create entrance tourism (Belyk, 2012), and today Kazakhstan gains the greatest income (72%) from activity of the tourism organizations working at the exit direction, entrance tourism yields 13% of rev- enue, internal tourism – 15%. Internal tourism in the majority of the developed „tourist” countries gives from 30% to 50% of all re- ceipts in the budget. 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