THE ROLE OF POLICY AND LEGISLATION IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ACCESSIBLE TOURISM IN AN INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVE: A LEGAL ANALYSIS (KAZAKHSTAN CASE)

Abstract

The article examines the development of accessible tourism as
an integral component of public policy and legal regulation in both international
and national contexts. The relevance of the study is driven by the transformation
of the global tourism industry, the increasing social orientation of public policy,
and the growing importance of sustainable development and social inclusion
in international relations. Accessible tourism is viewed not only as a socially
oriented segment of tourism activity, but also as an instrument for enhancing the
international competitiveness of states and tourist destinations.
The purpose of the study is to provide a comprehensive analysis of the role
of public policy and legislation in the development of accessible tourism from
an international perspective, with a focus on the legal system of the Republic
of Kazakhstan. The methodological framework includes comparative legal
analysis, institutional and structural-functional approaches, as well as general
scientific methods of analysis, synthesis, and generalization. The empirical base
comprises international legal instruments, national regulatory acts of the Republic
of Kazakhstan, materials produced by international organizations, and scholarly
publications by Kazakhstani and foreign authors.
The study identifies key problems hindering the development of accessible
tourism in Kazakhstan, including fragmented legal regulation, insufficient
institutional support, infrastructure constraints, and a shortage of specialized
personnel. It is shown that the current regulatory framework requires further
harmonization with international accessibility standards. Priority directions
for improving public policy and legislation are proposed, aimed at building a
comprehensive model for the development of accessible tourism based on
international best practices. The findings can be used by public authorities and in
further research in international relations and tourism policy.