Strategy for tourism in Karabakh revealed

The Azerbaijani Government is taking steps in several directions to increase the tourism potential of Karabakh and make maximum use of it, the head of the Tourism Policy and Strategy Department of the Azerbaijani State Tourism Agency, Mahammad Muradov, told Report.

Muradov added that the Karabakh region will become a safe tourism zone by 2030:

"The results of the Great Patriotic War allow us to do new work to restore tourism in the Karabakh region, at least to the previous level. The state's primary goal in terms of tourism is to make the region a safe destination by 2030. Let's first target domestic tourism and then gradually turn the region into a major competitive destination by attracting tourists from the neighboring countries and beyond. It is the main view. To achieve the goal, work must be done in this and several other areas.

First, a strategic approach to the development of the region in terms of tourism must be formed. Then, to implement the strategic approach, sustainable and good governance must be established. Also, high-quality and competitive land and air transport services should be organized in the region. A favorable and attractive business investment environment must be created for the tourism industry. Unique and competitive tourism products should be created based on the existing tourism potential for the region's cultural, natural, health and special interest groups. Then a modern tourism infrastructure should be built on the basis of public-private partnership. It is necessary to raise awareness about the region through advocacy activities. It is also essential to have the required staff to support the tourism industry."

According to Muradov, these will be the main directions of the state's work in the region.

"First of all, I want to mention the work done on the strategic approach. The state is developing a 'Strategy for Socio-Economic Development' and a tourism strategy is being prepared to develop liberated territories for the next five years. The document will reflect the main directions of tourism development. It means that there will be a more complex, more systematic approach to issues related to the region," he added.