The article analyzes the state and problems of cluster development in the real sector of the region based on the materials of the Pavlodar region. The main problem of innovative development of the Pavlodar region, as well as in all regions of Kazakhstan, in general, is the lack of innovative activity of enterprises, which is reflected in the volume, frequency and efficiency of their innovations. At the same time, most of the enterprises belonging to the real sector of the economy have sufficient resources for the development of innovative activity. However, the prospects for their interaction with enterprises in other sectors and sectors of the economy for the purpose of technology transfer are insignificant, which, in general, doesn’t meet the principles of balanced spatial development of the territory formulated by the program for the development of territories of the Republic of Kazakhstan until 2020. One of the ways to solve this problem is formation and development of a cluster approach and interaction of business entities. The article assesses the efficiency of the cluster’s functioning as an institution of regional development. On the example of the metallurgical cluster of Pavlodar region, the main ways and methods of forming cluster initiatives in the regional economy are considered, a SWOT analysis of the development of the metallurgical cluster of the region is given, and its main problems are identified; identifies priority directions of clusters’ development (metallurgical cluster, including the production of final products, the cluster of railway engineering, agri-food cluster), the realization of which in the region could create the conditions for the emergence and full development of a number of new highly specialized sectors such as cluster chemistry, cluster of road and construction machinery, transport logistics cluster, cluster of modern production technologies and engineering, cluster of manufacturing components for machinery and equipment and cluster of industrial electrical engineering and equipment for power engineering. The authors also noted that the realization of regional development strategies of cluster initiatives can potentially lay the foundations for clusters “future days”, such as: cluster of resource efficiency and environmentally processing, the cluster of new energy, the cluster of innovative medicine, tourism and recreational cluster.

Main problem: for the 2019-2021 years of the implementation of the state program, the indicator for the number of incoming visitors in the tourism sector of the region was achieved in 2019. In 2020-2021, the indicator was not reached due to the global pandemic associated with the spread of coronavirus infection by Covid-19, and therefore the attractiveness and profitability of tourism in Kazakhstan decreased. Tourism and the increasing demand for tourism services every year are becoming a source of large incomes and profits in many countries. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), travel and tourism is currently the largest industry in the world, taking into account the contribution to global GDP and employment. [1] The conclusions made in this paper and practical recommendations can contribute to the development of measures to improve the process of effective management and reform of the tourism industry. The purpose: to study the theoretical and practical aspects of the development of the tourism industry in the Pavlodar region. Methods: in the course of the research, the following methods were used: theoretical analysis of literature, methods of ranking, analysis, grouping and systematization of data, statistical methods. Results and their value: currently, the tourism industry of both Kazakhstan and its regions is gradually beginning to develop. The article presents the result of assessing the attractiveness of the tourism market and shows ways to expand the industry, as well as reveals the specifics of management in the tourism sector. The formulated conclusions and practical recommendations can contribute to the development of measures to improve the process of effective management and reform of the tourism industry of Pavlodar region, as well as the development of a mechanism for using tourism potential in the socio-economic development of Kazakhstan. This study is relevant, since the main task for today is the need to study the problems and challenges in the field of tourism development, which will contribute to the development of other related industries in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The development and solution of the problems of the tourism industry itself will undoubtedly lead to an increase in the opportunities of this market and the demand for services and, as a result, will affect the development of economic indicators of both regions and the whole of Kazakhstan.