Heritage and Sustainable Development | 2026
Authors: Sharapayeva B.; Akimov Z.; Tleubayeva A.; Shakirov S.; Kassymova A.
DOI: 10.37868/hsd.v8i1.1928
Journal: Heritage and Sustainable Development
Year: 2026
Publisher: Research and Development Academy
Document Type: Article
Open Access: All Open Access; Gold Open Access; Green Open Access
Cited by: 0
Ethno-tourism is increasingly recognized as a vital tool for preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage, particularly in countries seeking to diversify their tourism offerings. This study examines how ethno-tourism in Kazakhstan enhances the visibility of intangible heritage, focusing on national cuisine, music, and cultural traditions. A converged parallel mixed-methods design was employed, combining survey data from 200 international tourists with semi-structured interviews involving 15 tourism stakeholders. Findings show that 70% of tourists visited Kazakhstan primarily for cultural experiences, with 65% identifying national cuisine as the most appealing aspect of intangible heritage. Traditional music and folk performances were considered significant attractions by 55% and 48% of respondents, respectively. Stakeholder interviews revealed that community involvement in tourism activities supports the preservation of cultural practices. However, the study's scope was limited to two urban centers and excluded domestic tourists, which may affect generalizability. Overall, the results demonstrate that ethno-tourism contributes both economically and culturally by increasing tourism revenue and sustaining traditional culinary practices, music, and rituals. International tourists' interest in authenticity, cultural immersion, and gastronomy highlights ethno-tourism's value as a sustainable development strategy for Kazakhstan. © The Author 2026. Published by ARDA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) that allows others to share and adapt the material for any purpose (even commercially), in any medium with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Ethno-tourism; Gastronomic tourism; Heritage marketing; Intangible heritage; Kazakhstan; Mixed-methods; National cuisine