INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES TO IMPROVE TOURISM EXPERIENCE IN NATIONAL PARKS: DEVELOPMENT OF GIS MAPS AND THEIR VALUE
Authors:   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tourism Department, Astana, Kazakhstan, AMANGELDI Aigerim , SEIDUALIN Darken ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tourism Department, Astana, Kazakhstan, MUKANOV Aidar ,   L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Tourism Department, Astana, Kazakhstan, MUKATOVA Rabiga ,   Maqsut Narikbayev University, School of Liberal Arts, Astana, Kazakhstan, BILISBEKOV Temirlan ,   Institute of Geography and Water Safety, Laboratory of Geotourism and Geomorphology, Almaty, Kazakhstan, SAGATBAYEV Yerzhan ,   Astana International University, Higher School of Natural Sciences; L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Astana, Kazakhstan
Published: February 2025

This article describes Ulytau National Park, its natural features, and unique attractions. The goal of this study is to create a
favorable environment for using innovative technologies to discover historical sites and improve the tourism experience. It is
necessary to focus on creating more sustainable and innovative solutions by considering the changing demands and expectations of
tourists. This helps to improve the quality of services, develop more efficient tourist routes, meet the needs of eco-friendly tourism,
and promote sustainable development in this sphere. In this case, GIS methodology provides a useful and systematic approach to
work with geodata for decision-making, analysis, and visualization of spatial information. Using GIS maps in ecotourism contributes
to creating more optimal and exciting routes, improving infrastructure, and providing more informative services for tourists. The
integration of GIS technologies in tourism management not only enhances visitor experiences but also supports effective resource
planning and environmental conservation within the national park. The study analysis provides recommendations for public and
private organizations and travel agencies on using GIS technologies to achieve sustainable development in ecotourism. Constructed
GIS maps give information about the park’s territory, the location of main objects and routes, which improves the awareness and
orientation of tourists. The study highlights the importance of integrating GIS technologies with strategic planning, infrastructure
development, and continuous monitoring to enhance the effectiveness of tourist routes and promote sustainable regional tourism. By
applying cluster analysis, the study identified optimal routes and facilitated more efficient management of tourist flows. Additionally,
GIS maps created during the study contribute to improved accessibility, providing tourists with up-to-date information on attractions,
routes, and services. The findings demonstrate that GIS-based solutions can optimize the overall tourism experience, leading to more
sustainable tourism practices and better resource management. The research showed that integrating data from multiple sources,
including GPS devices and satellite images, allows for accurate mapping and route planning. This experience reveals new
perspectives in tourist navigation, discovery, and obtaining information about historical sites and main tourist attractions.