ASSESSMENT OF THE TOURISM CLIMATE INDEX OF ALMATY AND KAPCHAGAY

<jats:p>The Tourism Climate Index (TCI) is an important bioclimatic indicator that allows a comprehensive assessment of the climatic suitability of a territory for tourism. This index integrates key meteorological parameters such as air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, wind speed, and sunshine duration, providing a quantitative assessment of the impact of climatic conditions on tourism and recreation. In this study, the tourism climatic conditions of Almaty city and the Kapshagay region were evaluated using the TCI methodology. The research covers the period from 1978 to 2020 and is divided into two stages: 1978…1998 and 1999…2020. The calculations were carried out using monthly meteorological data, and a comparative analysis of climatic comfort changes between the two periods was conducted. The results show that both regions exhibit pronounced seasonal variability in climatic comfort. In Almaty, the most favorable conditions for tourism occur during spring and autumn, particularly in April and September when TCI values reach their highest levels. During summer, increased air temperature leads to a moderate decrease in climatic comfort. In the Kapshagay region, the seasonal pattern of climatic comfort is generally similar to that of Almaty, with TCI values during the summer months remaining at comparable levels in both areas. The comparative analysis indicates a slight decrease in climatic comfort in Almaty during the later period, while TCI values in Kapshagay remain relatively stable. Overall, the tourism climatic conditions in both regions are assessed as “acceptable”. The results of this study can serve as a scientific basis for tourism planning, optimization of tourist seasons, and the development of sustainable tourism strategies considering climatic factors.</jats:p>