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Underdevelopment of Agri- and Rural Tourism in the Agrarian Regions of Northern Kazakhstan: Determinants of the Underdog
Despite the significant potential of diverse natural, agricultural, cultural, and historical resources, Northern Kazakhstan, as well as the whole country, demonstrates the underdevelopment and unpopularity of agritourism and rural tourism. By Kazakh standards, it is characterized by relatively well-developed agriculture. At the same time, it is characterized by a monopolized rural labor market, lack of a service sector, low incomes, and progressive depopulation of the population. During the implementation of the research project, secondary data analysis (content, historical, statistical) were used. According to the study, the key factors determining the paradoxical underdevelopment of rural tourism and agritourism in a key agricultural region include the state policy of supporting agriculture, the conservatism of farmers, and passive rural stakeholder attitudes, which are influenced by the Soviet past. In addition, the lack of attractiveness of rural tourist and recreational resources in the eyes of travelers plays a significant role. To activate the tangible and intangible assets of rural areas in order to develop the tourism and hospitality industry, both administrative and utilitarian measures are proposed that can diversify the rural economy. This paper is not only a case study of tourism barriers in Kazakhstan, but a theory-informed diagnosis of rural modernization failure.