Space-launch tourism at Baikonur and digitalisation in the strategic development of Kazakhstan’s hospitality sector

Abstract

The relevance of the study is determined by the need to diversify Kazakhstan’s hospitality sector through digital transformation and specialised tourism products based on unique national resources. The purpose of the article is to assess the role of digitalisation and space-launch tourism at Baikonur in the strategic development of Kazakhstan’s hospitality sector. The study applies a descriptive and analytical desk research design based on secondary data, including official statistics for 2011-2025, scientific literature, industry materials and documented cases of attendance at space launches. The results show positive dynamics in Kazakhstan’s accommodation sector: in 2025, 4,482 accommodation facilities served 10,087.1 thousand visitors, with a one-time capacity of 232.9 thousand bed-places. Scenario estimates indicate that organised attendance at Baikonur space launches may attract 5,000-12,500 visitors annually under conservative assumptions. The scientific novelty lies in integrating hospitality development, digital tools and Baikonur-based space-launch tourism into a single analytical framework. The practical significance is reflected in recommendations for infrastructure modernisation, digital visitor management, safety regulation and the development of culturally meaningful tourism products based on Kazakh hospitality traditions.