Water quality of the lakes: Consequences of tourism development

Abstract

[eng] Lake water is the main tourist attraction in the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area located in the Northern Kazakhstan. However, during the last decades, water quality of the main lakes has deteriorated along with the development of the tourism industry in the region. The drop in water quality can threat the success of the tourism development in the area on the medium to long run. Thus, this study attempts to analyse the changes in water quality of the main lakes of the region using water pollution index, and water variance rate for each lake. Furthermore, we examine the evolution of tourism, focusing on tourism accommodation sector and attempt to measure its influence on water quality of main lakes of the Shchuchinsk-Burabay resort area. Finally, we propose some recommendations for local authorities in order to guarantee the sustainability of the water resources and thus secure the future of tourism in the studied area.