THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY-BASED TOURISM IN ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN KAZAKHSTAN

Community-based tourism (CBT) plays a crucial role in sustainable tourism development in Kazakhstan, contributing to economic growth, cultural preservation, and environmental sustainability. In a study, the barriers to CBT implementation, which play a key role in advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), were analyzed. This study aims to fill gaps by examining how managers of Kazakhstan-based travel companies understand CBT's economic, environmental, and cultural aspects. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, integrating qualitative interviews with travel company managers, participant observations, and quantitative surveys. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The data samples included All Managers, Experienced Managers, and Novice Managers. The regression analysis was performed using two models: baseline, which included Awareness only, and expanded, which included Engagement and Infrastructure Challenge as control variables. For statistical significance, the standard errors (0.5-0.8) and mean values (3.5-4.5) were calculated, with a significant coefficient at p < 0.05. The findings of this study highlighted the importance of training programs and mentorship opportunities in helping less experienced professionals acquire new skills and bridge the knowledge gap. The findings of this study indicated that CBT aligns with SDG 8, SDG 11, and SDG 12, while also highlighting challenges, including infrastructure deficits and community engagement issues that hinder its implementation.