Managing the Planning and Development of Authentic Eco-Cultural Tourism in Kazakhstan

With the increasing visitors’ attention to the authenticity of heritage and tourism practices when they visit off the beaten track destinations, the question of authenticity in the experience of place becomes significant for the stakeholders involved in the management and development of tourism. This study investigates the managerial practices associated with the planning and development of authentic eco-cultural tourism in Kazakhstan. A qualitative case study research approach based on semi-structured interviews with policymakers, tourism developers and community members from two eco-tours in South and Central Kazakhstan is adopted to examine stakeholders’ authentication positions on various topic areas and eco-cultural tourism practices. Four key managerial and planning implications related to stakeholders’ perceptions of authenticity of Kazakhstani eco-cultural tourism are identified: empowering local communities for tourism development, redefining the host–guest tourism experience, certifying and labelling eco-cultural heritage sites and including authenticity as a unique and important feature in future tourism products and experiences.