Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine the current level of ecotourism research in tourism environmental management of Kazakhstan and to perform a comparison assessment in order to gain a better understanding through critical analysis and the identification of gaps for future studies. Methodology. Analysis, comparison, and literature review have been used as the methods of this work. The originality / value of the study is an accurate analysis of the present situation of ecotourism research in Kazakhstan and Bhutan. The Bhutanese example of ecotourism research could contribute for the further development of tourism environmental management in Kazakhstan. Findings. The authors found a few main problems of ecotourism research, including having lack of comprehensive data and information and problems with regulatory legal acts and documents in Kazakhstan. Therefore, right ecotourism study can facilitate to the development of the tourism environmental management in Kazakhstan. Through analyzing the Bhutanese practice of ecotourism research, the authors found a gap in Kazakhstan tourism environmental management where further research should be focused. Consequently, the authors gave a few recommendations on the further development of ecotourism research in Kazakhstan, as working with closely with foreign experienced researchers, improving the protected areas websites, establishing a trust fund with other countries, improving government documents on tourism environmental management, publishing more reports in English, and providing more grants and scholarships.