Smart Ecotourism and Natural Ecology in Kazakhstan

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming the tourism industry and affecting on natural ecology, making it more environmentally friendly, efficient and personalized. In 2025, AI technologies are being actively implemented to reduce the carbon footprint, optimize resources, and improve the travel experience. Here are the key applications of AI in environmentally sustainable smart tourism: AI in smart tourism is not just a technological trend, but a necessity for the sustainable development of the industry. Paper analyses personalized and green travel experience and smart tourism. AI-based applications (Google ARCore) allow tourists to get information about attractions without paper booklets. Virtual tours reduce the need for physical travel by reducing the carbon footprint. Platforms offer routes with minimal impact on nature (for example, hiking trails instead of car tours). Tourists can offset their carbon footprint through AI tools by financing tree planting. The introduction of AI solutions allows combining economic benefits with environmental responsibility, creating a future where travel becomes safer for the planet. Paper confirms idea about sustainable tourism development in developing countries and focus on premium ecotourism. Instead of mass tourism, AI helps promote unique destinations (safaris, diving, ethnographic tours), which increases income with less environmental damage. Smart cities with AI-driven transport and energy-saving solutions make tourism more sustainable. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.