Prerequisites for the creation of a tourism cluster in the Kostanay region

Relevance. Under increasing competition in the market of goods and services, the structure of the national and regional economies of Kazakhstan should be modified to incorporate tourism a powerful economic driver. The formation of a viable system of geographically adjacent interconnected and mutually complementary companies is impossible without an appropriate strategy, the basis of which is a comprehensive assessment of tourism potential. Research objective. To identify prerequisites for the formation of a tourism cluster in the region based on a cluster strategy ensuring the creation of an efficient management system. Data and methods. The economy of the Kostanay region was assessed using conventional methods of economic analysis, such as grouping and comparison. The advantages and disadvantages, as well as threats and opportunities, associated with the formation of a tourism cluster in the Kostanay region were determined by SWOT analysis. The official information provided by the Bureau of National Statistics of the Agency for Strategic Planning and Reforms of the Republic of Kazakhstan was used. Results. The conducted analysis of the gross regional product of the Kostanay region and its share in the Republican volumes confirmed that the structure of the regional economy can be changed by creating a tourism cluster based on a system of interacting and complementary enterprises. The development of a tourism cluster will increase the volume of services associated with accommodation of inbound and domestic tourists. Conclusion. The advantages and disadvantages associated with the development of inbound and domestic tourism in the region, as well as prerequisites for the creation of a tourism cluster in the Kostanay region, were determined. It is concluded that the impeding factor in the creation of an interconnected tourism system is the absence of a dialogue between the authorities and the business community. Dialogue channels should be improved in order to further diversify Kazakhstan regional economies through the creation of tourism clusters.