Assessment of Tourism and Climate Potential of the Territory of Western Kazakhstan

The article presents the results of assessing the favorableness of bioclimatic conditions as an important element of the tourism potential of the territory of Western Kazakhstan. Calculations of the tourist climate index (TCI) and analysis of its spatial and temporal variability based on data from representative weather stations for 1976–2020 have been performed. It has been determined that the territory of Western Kazakhstan is homogeneous in terms of the average annual TCI, but is extremely variable in terms of the intra-annual course of the index: from an “extremely unfavorable” level in winter months to a “comfortable” level in summer. The differentiation of tourist activities types in Western Kazakhstan is presented, taking into account the favorable weather and climatic conditions. Based on territorial studiesand in connection with them, it was found that TCI in its current form is not entirely correct for arid and semi-arid territories with high average daily temperatures, and in the light of modern trends in increasing the average global surface temperature, this index needs to be updated.