CROSS-BORDER TOURISM COOPERATION AS A TOOL FOR REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN CENTRAL ASIA

Abstract

Regional integration in Central Asia has traditionally been pursued through formal political and economic frameworks. More recently, attention has shifted toward socially driven sectors capable of strengthening cooperation at the grassroots level. This paper examines cross-border tourism cooperation as a tool for regional integration in Central Asia, emphasizing its role in promoting mobility, people-to-people interaction, and intergovernmental coordination. Drawing on empirical and theoretical studies published in Scopus-indexed journals, the research analyzes how joint tourism initiatives contribute to economic interaction, cultural exchange, and regional connectivity. The findings suggest that cross-border tourism cooperation supports integration processes by reinforcing informal networks of trust and cooperation, while also facing structural and institutional challenges. The paper argues that tourism functions as a complementary mechanism that enhances, rather than replaces, formal regional integration efforts..