Guest Lecture on “Legislative Framework and Management in the Tourism Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan”

On October 15, 2026, a guest lecture entitled “Legislative Framework and Management in the Tourism Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan” was delivered by Daulet Yesenaliyev, founder and advisor to the Director of Open Travel Advisory LLP.

The lecture was attended by second-year students of the Department of Recreational Geography and Tourism. During the session, students learned about the specific features of tourism management at the city-destination level and explored the tourism industry as an integrated management system, encompassing everything from its legislative foundations to scenario planning and managerial decision-making.

The lecturer presented a real-world case study: the project to establish a Unified Register of Tourist Sites in Almaty and the Almaty Agglomeration. Using Almaty’s statistical data, students examined a key industry paradox — an increase in tourist arrivals alongside a decline in the number of accommodation establishments. They also explored how a data-driven approach, based on the sequence “data → information → knowledge → decision” and key performance indicators, can transform data into practical management actions.

Particular attention was paid to decision-making and scenario planning. Students participated in a business simulation called “Digital Boardroom,” in which five stakeholder groups — the Tourism Bureau, hoteliers, tour operators and guides, the city administration and budget representatives, and the local community and environmental stakeholders — developed and defended their proposed management decisions.

A separate section of the lecture focused on the legal foundations of the tourism industry. Students examined the Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Tourist Activities in the Republic of Kazakhstan,” covering key terminology, the roles of market participants, licensing and notification procedures, the tourist fee, tourists’ rights and obligations, insurance mechanisms, and the system for guaranteeing citizens’ rights in outbound tourism. Legislative developments introduced in 2025–2026 were also discussed, including the emergence of visitor centres.

During the lecture, students had the opportunity to ask questions, discuss practical aspects of destination management, and gain insight into how modern digital tools and the legislative framework are applied in the day-to-day management of tourism.

The event was organized with the active support of department lecturers Zh. N. Aliyeva and Sh. T. Abdreeva. The guest lecture provided a valuable opportunity for students to learn from practical experience in tourism destination management and broaden their understanding of contemporary tourism management approaches and the legal regulation of tourism activities.