ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE-RELATED LIMITING FACTORS IN A POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATION: CHARYN STATE NATIONAL NATURAL PARK, KAZAKHSTAN

The impact of certain meteorological phenomena may have a limiting effect on tourist activity. Temporal in situ measurements are valuable for understanding local climate characteristics when publicly available data provides generalized information at a large spatial scale. The study was conducted to determine and analyze the main weather extreme events that may disrupt tourism activity, as well as assess their spatial pattern across the Charyn State National Natural Park. The results of an assessment of climate-related limiting factors for the tourism sector were detected based on monitoring data collected by temporarily installed automatic meteorological stations. Archival data from the National Meteorological Service (Kazhydromet), along with remote sensing data, were also used to complement the analysis. The current research holds value by enhancing the general understanding of regional vulnerability disparities. The objective of the climatic impact-drivers concept is taken as a basis. In this context, the frequency of meteorological events was determined. Based on a weighted assessment of 11 meteorological parameters, considering their significance, an integrated hazard map was developed. The data indicates that the most vulnerable area is located along the Ulken Bugyty mountains and in the southern part of the Natural Park. The most frequently occurring event is very strong winds (24-29 m/s), particularly in the Ulken Bugyty mountains. A high recurrence of strong winds (15-23 m/s) is also observed on the “Valley of Castles” plateau, where the visitor center is located. The presence of the Ulken Bugyty mountains as an orographic barrier largely determines the spatial distribution of hazardous phenomena across the study area. The third decade of July is typically characterized by periods of 4 - 6 days with temperatures exceeding +35°C. In winter, fog is common in the northern part of the Charyn State National Natural Park. Conditions conducive to the formation of blizzards are rarely observed in the study area. The study also considers stakeholder parties in the tourism sector who are vulnerable to these hazardous phenomena.