Evaluation of tourist and excursion activities development in the nature reserve of Western Altai State, Kazakhstan

Specially protected natural areas (SPNAs) are essential in developing ecological tourism when used wisely and carefully. Ecotourism is recognized as a sustainable alternative to mass tourism and is intended to contribute to the protection and enhancement of various environmental components. Since natural and cultural diversity is considered the greatest asset of ecotourism, the Western Altai State Nature Reserve, with its unique diversity of nature, is a key destination for ecotourism and other forms of nature tourism. This article analyzes the visitation of the reserve's territory from 2017 to 2023, assessing the data on the attendance of protected areas. There was a decrease in the number of tourists during the pandemic period, while a gradual increase in the protected area during post-pandemic. Notably, there has been an elevation in interest from citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan during and after the global pandemic. The development of ecotourism contributes to preserving biodiversity as a primary source of internal funding for protected areas.