Abstract:
Research is aimed at elucidating the salient challenges impeding the maturation of the health and wellness tourism
cluster within the Eastern Kazakhstan region. The inquiry encompasses findings from a customer survey conducted within the
Eastern Kazakhstan Region's sanatorium resort visitors in Katon-Karagay District in 2022-2023. Significant attention is
devoted to the natural-ecological, economic-infrastructure, and socio-cultural components constituting the tourist cluster are
expounded upon. Quantitative analysis revealed therapeutic mineral baths for targeted activities and massage for
complementary activities to be the most fitting activities in the region’s sanatoriums. Satisfaction rates detected 98% for the
quality of medical services, 95% for the professionalism of medical personnel, 90% for medical procedures, 88.9% for
entertainment programs, and 68.9% for children's activities. Critical challenges in medical and wellness tourism include
insufficient accommodations for SPA and wellness, VIP segment tourists, and health-oriented tourist activities, including
catering to children. The nation witnesses a promising landscape for the "Katon-Karagay" sanatorium-resort cluster, underscoring
the imperative of establishing a public-private partnership and highlighting the need for a public-private partnership
