Development of an interactive national application for ecotourism in Ulytau nature park: methodology and results

Abstract

This article is devoted to the development and evaluation of an interactive mobile application for the development of ecotourism in the Ulytau Nature Park in Kazakhstan - a unique region with a rich cultural, historical and natural heritage. Insufficient availability of information about tourist routes and attractions of the park necessitated the creation of a modern tool to attract tourists and raise awareness of the region's potential. The study is based on a mixed methodology combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Field research included the study of existing maps, satellite images, photo recording of historical sites and the collection of data on biodiversity. Based on the data obtained, four tourist routes were developed with a detailed description of each point of the object. Analog route maps were then digitized using GIS technologies, ensuring high accuracy and detail of the data. This made it possible to create accurate digital maps, which became the basis for an interactive mobile application. The application prototype was developed in Figma. It includes interactive maps, detailed descriptions of tourist sites, high-resolution photographs and a convenient navigation system. Interactive elements such as navigation buttons, animation and the ability to zoom the map are used. Overall, the developed prototype demonstrates significant potential for promoting ecotourism in the Ulytau Nature Park and contributes to the sustainable development of the region.