ASSESSMENT OF PHYSICAL CAPACITY OF THE BEACH AND RECREATIONAL AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF THE SOUTH-WESTERN SHORE OF THE ALAKOL LAKE

In recent years, Kazakhstan has experienced a rise in domestic tourism; however, the principles of sustainable development remain poorly integrated into destination management strategies. As a result, land and recreational resources are often used inefficiently. This study focuses on assessing the physical carrying capacity of beaches and the recreational and geomorphological potential of the south-western shore of the Alakol Lake. Based on remote sensing data (PlanetScope, RapidEye, SuperDove, Sentinel-2A, and Landsat-8), the total physical capacity of the beaches in this area was estimated at 75,000 visitors per day and approximately 3.86 million per season. The combined length of beaches and recreational spits reaches 21 kilometers. A scoring assessment of terrain attractiveness and geomorphological risks, based on established criteria, revealed that the recreational and geomorphological potential of the area is optimal. The study proposes that the obtained quantitative parameters be used by local authorities to guide the sustainable and rational development of the lake’s shoreline.