ASSESSMENT OF THE POSSIBILITIES OF USING SACRED SITES AND THE NATURAL AND RECREATIONAL POTENTIAL OF THE NORTH KAZAKHSTAN REGION FOR THE FORMATION OF TOURIST ROUTES

To analyze the potential of sacred places as well as natural and recreational objects within the borders of the North Kazakhstan region of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the development of complex tourist routes. We examined archival data and documents and assessed the results of a sociological survey using statistical and mathematical processing, with tourist routes mapped out. The material under analysis and the results of the sociological survey enabled us to evaluate the touristic appeal and relevance of sacred places, as well as that of natural and recreational objects, in the North Kazakhstan region. A number of complex routes characterized by cultural, historical, pilgrimage, archeological, and environmental diversity were proposed. The cartographic material at hand enabled us to display a spatial plan of routes and accurately reflect the development potential of the region's tourism sector. The land of North Kazakhstan has the potential to expand the tourism industry. The demonstrated sacred places and diverse natural sites enable the creation of complex routes. We assessed the sacred places’ properties and determined the degree of attractiveness exhibited by complex routes, thus confirming the tourist opportunities offered by the region. These routes were designed to promote various directives such as historical, patriotic, and cultural education, natural world exploration, pilgrimage, spiritual awakening, and archaeology. Their use will contribute to the preservation of cultural and historical values, the expansion of international and domestic relations, and the developmen t of the economy and sustainability in the region. Skillful management in planning complex tourist routes in the North Kazakhstan region will facilitate the strengthening of ties between different communities and cultures, which is of great relevance for the multinational and multicultural country that is Kazakhstan.