The resource potential and scenarios for the rural tourism development in Aktobe oblast of the Republic of Kazakhstan

Abstract

The trend towards the development of rural tourism is recognized to create positive dynamics for the revitalization of rural areas, and the preservation of the authentic and socio-cultural image of rural areas. Rural tourism in the regions of Kazakhstan is at the initial stage of the development. Aktobe oblast is not an exception to the general Kazakhstani trend. In the Aktobe oblast, to date, regional programs for realizing the potential of rural areas in the field of rural tourism have not been developed. An analysis of the state of the cultural environment and natural features made it possible to identify profitable resources in the local socio-economic system of the Aktobe oblast, on which rural tourism of the studied area can be built. The main directions of the resource application for the development of rural tourism are formed based on the potential resources that are available not only to the region as a whole but to each administrative-territorial unit – the district. As part of the study of the territorial system of the Aktobe oblast, regional guidelines for the development of rural tourism were identified. Rural tourism in the Aktobe oblast can be built on the resources of both natural and agricultural, historical, and cultural environments. Cultural landmarks for the development of rural tourism are represented by historical and cultural objects. We see the approach to assessing the territory of the Aktobe oblast in terms of organizing directions for the development of rural tourism in the application of the inductive method of scientific knowledge when the overall picture is formed based on the transition from a particular study of objects and phenomena to a general one. In our case, a holistic view of the development of rural tourism is obtained by analyzing natural resources, transportation, historical and cultural values of the territory and agricultural production. Insufficient and irrational use of the tourist opportunities of the territory, as well as the growing needs of the population for outdoor recreation within their region, stimulate the search. For new approaches to planning tourism activities. A new policy of rural tourism seems promising, aimed not only at the implementation of specific tourism projects but at the systemic development of tourism in the Aktobe oblast. The article develops a methodology for assessing the resource potential for the development of rural tourism and proposes the principles of zoning the territory from the standpoint of the territorial organization of rural tourism. To achieve this goal, the paper used the method of scoring, cartographic and comparative methods. Their application made it possible to ensure the validity and reliability of conclusions and proposals.