DOCSLIB.ORG

The Role of Nature-Based Tourism the Case of Azerbaijan

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Role of Nature-Based Tourism the Case of Azerbaijan 21034 Degree project 15 credits May 2021 The role of nature-based tourism The case of Azerbaijan Ramil Namazov Master`s Programme in Sustainable Destination Development The role of nature-based tourism: The case of Azerbaijan Ramil Namazov Abstract Nature-based tourism is one of the most preferred types of tourism by tourists in recent years. This type of tourism also has a special effect on people's decisions. This paper analyzes the role of nature-based tourism in people's decisions and tourist preferences, as well as how companies meet these requirements. Taking into account the growing tourism potential in the Caucasus region, Azerbaijan has been selected as the main study area. In this paper, the qualitative method was applied as the main research design, and the data collection was obtained based on interviews. This study reveals the expectations of tourists from companies and the factors that influence their decisions. It also analyzes how companies meet the needs of tourists and the relationship between them. Faculty of Science and Technology Uppsala University, Place of publication: Campus Gotland, Visby Supervisor: - Subject reader: Magnus Larsson Examiner: Ulrika Persson-Fischier Acknowledgements I am grateful to my family for their constant support, to the Swedish Institute for giving me a chance to study in Sweden, to my friends who supported me throughout my research, and to my supervisor Magnus Larsson for his valuable advice. Finally, I would like to thank the person who will share his/her feedback with me for this work and help develop this research. 1 Acronyms GDP - Gross domestic product DMO - Destination marketing organization UNWTO - World Tourism Organization ATTA- Adventure Travel Trade Association ASAN - Azerbaijan Service and Assessment Network CIS - Commonwealth of Independent States OECD - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 2 Table of contents 1.0 Introduction 4 1.1 Study Area 5 1.2 Aim 6 1.3 Research Questions 7 1.4 Scope of the study 8 2.0 Previous Research 9 2.1 The concept of nature-based tourism 2.2 Nature tourists 11 2.3 Nature-based tourism as a main effect of tourists` decisions 13 2.4 Tourism companies and their role on nature-based tourism 15 2.5 Summary 16 3.0 Research Methodology 17 3.1 Qualitative Research Design 17 3.2 Data Analysis and Findings 17 3.3 Data Collection 18 3.4 Ethical Consideration 19 4.0 Data Analysis 19 5.0 Discussion and Conclusion 29 6.0 List of References 33 7.0 Appendices 39 7.1 Interviews 39 3 1.0 Introduction The tourism sector has always been of great interest to both developed and developing countries. The main reason is that it is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the world. The World Tourism Organization estimates that world tourism revenues will reach $ 2 trillion by 2020, prompting each country to join the struggle to increase its share of tourism revenues. It seems that consumers engaged in mass tourism have been constantly moving from traditional tourism products to alternative tourism products in recent years. The rapid growth of demand for alternative tourism and the parallel development and diversification of alternative tourism is a reality today. The predominance of alternative tourism in emerging destinations in the tourism market and the creation of new products in old destinations indicate that the demand for alternative tourism will increase in the future. In nature-based tourism, it is mentioned as part of alternative tourism, and this research is conducted on the main nature-based tourism (Balasənli, 2018a). Before COVID-19, tourism had turned out to be one of the most important sectors in the global economy, accounting for 10 percent of global GDP and greater than 320 million jobs worldwide. However, during the pandemic tourism-dependent countries experience the negative influences of the crisis for much longer than different economies. The tourism sector is disproportionately suffering from the pandemic and will continue to struggle until people feel safe to take a trip again. In this situation, it became more important to learn factors that influence the tourist decisions in the tourism sector (International Monetary Fund, n.d.) In parallel with the economic, political, and technological developments in the world, significant changes have been observed in the consumption patterns of tourism in recent years, there is a trend towards a change in the traditional tourism understanding and moving away from tourism centers. The expectations of new types of tourists with this new trend started to emerge as spending time in a clean environment, respectful to the environment, which is intertwined with nature (Düşmezkalender and Metin, 2019a). Nature-based tourism draws attention as a rapidly developing type of tourism within the tourism industry. Particularly, changes in the structure of international demand, increasing education levels and increasing interest and awareness towards environmental issues increase the demand for nature-based and ecotourism travels. Although the emergence of the concept of nature-based tourism is considered new, activities that are considered within the scope of this type of tourism have been carried out for a long time. Nature-based tourism is of great importance in terms of disciplining these activities carried out for natural areas and sensitive ecosystems with the principles it brings (Çoban and Karakuş, 2019). Center for the Promotion of Imports (2020) mentioned in their reports that for a few years now 4 tourists have ended up more aware of leaving a positive effect at the destinations that they visit and in a 2018 Booking.com survey, 87% of world travelers stated they desired to travel to nature and have a contribution to sustainability. Lack of study of the impact of resources on nature-based tourism on tourist decisions and developing tourism strategies by companies, as well as governments, without researching this area, lead to the underdevelopment of this tourism type. Azerbaijan is one of the countries in the Caucasus region with its attractive nature, but the lack of extensive research in this area, neither companies nor the DMOs have extensive information on how nature-based tourism in Azerbaijan plays role in tourists' decisions and which factors are considered by tourism companies `when they organize tours to natural areas. 1.1 Study Area Tourism in Azerbaijan Azerbaijan has rich resources for the development of the tourism industry. This is, first of all, due to its very favorable economic and geographical position. Thus, Azerbaijan is located at the crossroads of two world civilizations in the middle of the Transcaucasian transport corridor, where all the infrastructure - air and sea transport, highways, and roads connecting Europe with the Caucasus and Central Asia pass through. Azerbaijan has 9 out of 11 climate zones. The world of flora fascinates tourists with its brightness and diversity. Natural mud has been used effectively for more than 100 years to treat musculoskeletal, nervous, and other diseases. Among them, Naftalan therapeutic oil has a special place. More than 1,200 large and small rivers flow in Azerbaijan. Many rivers flowing from the mountains create noisy and majestic waterfalls. Azerbaijan is called a sunny country, and this is not accidental. The Republic can be compared with Italy, Spain, and Greece in terms of the number of sunny days per year. Each of them is an integral part of nature-based tourism in Azerbaijan (Pirimova, 2011). The Azerbaijani government has announced the development of tourism as a priority in the non-oil sector of the economy. The work done to promote tourism in the country over the past 10 years, the reforms carried out, the adopted state programs, the improvement of the regulatory framework prove it once again. As a result of these measures, the tourism industry in Azerbaijan has entered a new stage, the country has begun to be recognized as a new tourist destination in the world, and integration into the international tourism market is becoming more widespread every year. According to the January report of the World Tourism Barometer of the UNWTO, Azerbaijan is rated as one of the 20 fastest growing countries in the world in the tourism field (Azernews, 2020). 5 Tourism, based on the principles of environmental sustainability with a major share of foreign investment on the basis of public-private partnership, creates conditions for Azerbaijan to take a leading position in the international arena as the main driving force for the development of villages and regions. In the tourism sector, substantial measures have been taken to update service packages, effectively promote various types of tourism activities, and purposefully develop the physical and social regional tourism infrastructure. Also, investing in the development of health, promising winter tourism and ecotourism, using traditional and modern treatment options, allows more tourists to flow. According to statistics for 2019, Azerbaijan received more than 3 million tourists, which is the second-best indicator in the Caucasus region (The State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2019a). On simplification of the procedure for issuing electronic visas and establishment of the ASAN visa system in 2016, and On additional measures to accelerate the flow of tourists to the Republic of Azerbaijan in 2017 orders have had a significant impact on the development of tourism, which is one of the promising areas. Citizens of a number of Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries can visit Azerbaijan without a visa, and citizens of some countries can get a simplified visa to visit Azerbaijan comfortably. According to the Strategic Roadmap for the development of the specialized tourism industry in Azerbaijan in the direction of reshaping the demand for health tourism for local and foreign tourists, supporting the development of winter tourism, creating cultural tourism routes, and strengthening sustainable tourism potential (rural tourism, ecotourism, etc.) appropriate work has been done (State Housing Development Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 2016).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Caucasus Globalization
    Volume 6 Issue 2 2012 1 THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES OF THE CAUCASUS THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION Journal of Social, Political and Economic Studies Conflicts in the Caucasus: History, Present, and Prospects for Resolution Special Issue Volume 6 Issue 2 2012 CA&CC Press® SWEDEN 2 Volume 6 Issue 2 2012 FOUNDEDTHE CAUCASUS AND& GLOBALIZATION PUBLISHED BY INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES OF THE CAUCASUS Registration number: M-770 Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan Republic PUBLISHING HOUSE CA&CC Press® Sweden Registration number: 556699-5964 Registration number of the journal: 1218 Editorial Council Eldar Chairman of the Editorial Council (Baku) ISMAILOV Tel/fax: (994 12) 497 12 22 E-mail: [email protected] Kenan Executive Secretary (Baku) ALLAHVERDIEV Tel: (994 – 12) 596 11 73 E-mail: [email protected] Azer represents the journal in Russia (Moscow) SAFAROV Tel: (7 495) 937 77 27 E-mail: [email protected] Nodar represents the journal in Georgia (Tbilisi) KHADURI Tel: (995 32) 99 59 67 E-mail: [email protected] Ayca represents the journal in Turkey (Ankara) ERGUN Tel: (+90 312) 210 59 96 E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Board Nazim Editor-in-Chief (Azerbaijan) MUZAFFARLI Tel: (994 – 12) 510 32 52 E-mail: [email protected] (IMANOV) Vladimer Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Georgia) PAPAVA Tel: (995 – 32) 24 35 55 E-mail: [email protected] Akif Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Azerbaijan) ABDULLAEV Tel: (994 – 12) 596 11 73 E-mail: [email protected] Volume 6 IssueMembers 2 2012 of Editorial Board: 3 THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION Zaza D.Sc.
    [Show full text]
  • The Caucasus Globalization
    Volume 8 Issue 3-4 2014 1 THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES OF THE CAUCASUS THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION Journal of Social, Political and Economic Studies Volume 8 Issue 3-4 2014 CA&CC Press® SWEDEN 2 Volume 8 Issue 3-4 2014 THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION FOUNDED AND PUBLISHED BY INSTITUTE OF STRATEGIC STUDIES OF THE CAUCASUS Registration number: M-770 Ministry of Justice of Azerbaijan Republic PUBLISHING HOUSE CA&CC Press® Sweden Registration number: 556699-5964 Registration number of the journal: 1218 Editorial Council Eldar Chairman of the Editorial Council (Baku) ISMAILOV Tel/fax: (994 – 12) 497 12 22 E-mail: [email protected] Kenan Executive Secretary (Baku) ALLAHVERDIEV Tel: (994 – 12) 561 70 54 E-mail: [email protected] Azer represents the journal in Russia (Moscow) SAFAROV Tel: (7 – 495) 937 77 27 E-mail: [email protected] Nodar represents the journal in Georgia (Tbilisi) KHADURI Tel: (995 – 32) 99 59 67 E-mail: [email protected] Ayca represents the journal in Turkey (Ankara) ERGUN Tel: (+90 – 312) 210 59 96 E-mail: [email protected] Editorial Board Nazim Editor-in-Chief (Azerbaijan) MUZAFFARLI Tel: (994 – 12) 598 27 53 (Ext. 25) (IMANOV) E-mail: [email protected] Vladimer Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Georgia) PAPAVA Tel: (995 – 32) 24 35 55 E-mail: [email protected] Akif Deputy Editor-in-Chief (Azerbaijan) ABDULLAEV Tel: (994 – 12) 561 70 54 E-mail: [email protected] Volume 8 IssueMembers 3-4 2014 of Editorial Board: 3 THE CAUCASUS & GLOBALIZATION Zaza D.Sc. (History), Professor, Corresponding member of the Georgian National Academy of ALEKSIDZE Sciences, head of the scientific department of the Korneli Kekelidze Institute of Manuscripts (Georgia) Mustafa AYDIN Rector of Kadir Has University (Turkey) Irina BABICH D.Sc.
    [Show full text]
  • Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Specialized Tourism Industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan
    Approved by Decree of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated December 6, 2016 Strategic Roadmap for the Development of Specialized Tourism Industry in the Republic of Azerbaijan 1 Contents 1. Executive Summary ........................................................................................... 4 2. GLOBAL TRENDS .............................................................................................. 6 3. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT SITUATION ............................................................ 10 3.1. Current status of tourism sector ........................................................................ 10 3.2. SWOT analysis of tourism sector ....................................................................... 17 4. STRATEGIC VISION ......................................................................................... 18 4.1. Strategic vision for 2020 ..................................................................................... 18 4.2. Long term vision of Azerbaijan in Tourism for 2025 ......................................... 19 4.3. Aspirational Vision of Azerbaijan in Tourism for post 2025 ............................. 20 5. TARGET INDICATORS ..................................................................................... 23 6. STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES .............................................................................. 24 7. STRATEGIC TARGETS .................................................................................... 25 7.1. Strategic target 1. Realize Baku's full tourism
    [Show full text]
  • Azerbaijan Frameworks: Geopolitical and Socio-Economic Considerations
    Geopolitical, Social Security and Freedom Journal, Volume 1 Issue 2, 2018 Azerbaijan frameworks: geopolitical and socio-economic considerations Nicoletta Varani Ph D, Full professor of Geography, Department of Education [DISFOR], University of Genoa, email: [email protected] Doi: 10.2478/gssfj-2018-0013 Abstract The contribution intends to present a framework as updated as possible on Azerbaijan, a country of which we are hearing more and more but not very well known and known to most, trying to provide an overview of what Azerbaijan is today, paying particular attention to the history of this interesting country in order to understand what it is today and even more what is the path taken for its future development. Therefore, some areas and aspects of the country have been identified, which will be, to follow, argued. Starting from the entirely geographical aspects to the more socio-cultural, then moving on to international relations and geopolitics and finally to the economic aspects. Keywords: Azerbaijan, geopolitics, tourism 1. Geo-social introduction Azerbaijan is the easternmost and largest (86,000 sq. km) country in the South Caucasus region; 800 km of coastline is on the Caspian Sea. More than 50% of the Azerbaijani territory is mountainous, and the morphological variety gives the country its own climatic, naturalistic and landscape peculiarities: nine of the eleven climate zones in Azerbaijan are located worldwide (Figure 1). In addition to this wealth of climate is a considerable wealth of minerals, represented by reserves of oil and natural gas. The socio-cultural aspects are defined in relation to the languages spoken on the territory: Azerbaijani (official language) 92.5%, Russian 1.4%, Armenian 1.4% and other 4.7%.
    [Show full text]
  • Perspectives of Religious Tourism in Azerbaijan
    Perspectives of religious tourism in Azerbaijan Dr. Darius Liutikas Lithuanian Social Research Centre, Lithuania [email protected] Biographies Dr. Darius Liutikas is scientific researcher at the Lithuanian Social Research Centre (Vilnius). Research interests: modern and traditional pilgrimage, religious tourism, sociology of tourism, forms of mobility, sacred places and sacred spaces, geography of religions. He has published around 30 articles in Lithuanian and international academical journals. The authors’ monograph about manifestation of values and identity in the journeys was published in 2009 (in Lithuanian language). Abstract The paper deals with the analysis of religious tourism possibilities in Azerbaijan. The potential for Christian travelers is presented. Analysis includes historic background, and contemporary challenges of visiting Christian sacred places in relation to the themes of ancient history of Christianity and heritage maintenance. Religious heritage analysis of ancient Caucasian Albania is introduced. Despite diversification, phenomenon of religious tourism becomes more and more important, it involves people to consume narratives of places, which encapsulate their values. Visiting religious places in Azerbaijan such as Kish and Nij has opportunity of the growth. In order to evaluate perspectives of religious tourism in Azerbaijan SWOT analysis was done. The results of the research could be important not only to scientific community, but also to the policy makers, and tourism practitioners. KEY WORDS: religious tourism, Christian routes in Azerbaijan, Caucasian Albania, religious places in Azerbaijan. Introduction Azerbaijan is a country in South Caucasus, dislocated nearby the largest world lake – Caspian Sea, which is to the east of this almost 10 mill. population country. Today Azerbaijan is a secular country, which has predominant Muslim religious communities, but also some Christians or Jewish.
    [Show full text]
  • Azerbaijan's Tourism Sector – Opportunities and Obstacles
    1 Azerbaijan’s Tourism Sector – Opportunities and Obstacles Madina Hashimli CESD Press Center for Economic and Social Development (CESD) Jafar Jabbarli 44, Baku, Az 1065, Azerbaijan Phone; (99412) 597-06-91 Email; [email protected] URL; www.cesd.az Baku, August, 2019 2 Contents ABSTRACT --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS -----------------------------------------------------------------------4 1. INTRODUCTION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------5 2. BACKGROUND ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------6 2.1. Situation Pre-2014 .............................................................................................................. 7 2.1.1. Government Strategies before 2014 ........................................................................ 8 2.1.2. Structure of the Sector - How many tourists and what kind of tourism? ......... 13 2.2. Changes after the 2014 Oil Price Shock ........................................................................... 16 2.2.1. Institutional Changes ............................................................................................. 17 2.2.2. Strategic Road Map ................................................................................................ 19 3. ANALYSIS OF CURRENT STRUCTURE AND CAPACITY OF THE SECTOR 21 4. FORECASTS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24 5. CONCLUSION
    [Show full text]
  • Rapid Tourism Assessment Azerbaijan Tourism Sector
    Rapid Tourism Assessment for the Azerbaijan Tourism Sector Development Program presented by Citizens Development Corps to The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Office in Baku March, 2004 Table of Contents 1. INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................... 1 2. SECTOR OVERVIEW.................................................................................................. 1 3. DATA and DOCUMENTATION................................................................................. 3 3.1 Review of Previous Reports..................................................................................... 3 3.2 Current Tourist Profiles ........................................................................................... 4 4. INFRASTRUCTURE ASSESSMENT.......................................................................... 6 4.1 Policies and Laws .................................................................................................... 6 4.2 Visas......................................................................................................................... 6 4.3 Local Governments.................................................................................................. 6 4.4 Hotels and Restaurants............................................................................................. 8 4.5 Museums............................................................................................................... 10 4.6 Signage..................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Culture of Azerbaijan
    Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A R Y CULTURE OF AZERBAIJAN CONTENTS I. GENERAL INFORMATION............................................................................................................. 3 II. MATERIAL CULTURE ................................................................................................................... 5 III. MUSIC, NATIONAL MUSIC INSTRUMENTS .......................................................................... 7 Musical instruments ............................................................................................................................... 7 Performing Arts ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Percussion instruments ........................................................................................................................... 9 Wind instruments .................................................................................................................................. 12 Mugham as a national music of Azerbaijan ...................................................................................... 25 IV. FOLKLORE SONGS ..................................................................................................................... 26 Ashiqs of Azerbaijan ............................................................................................................................ 27 V. THEATRE,
    [Show full text]
  • Administrative Territorial Divisions in Different Historical Periods
    Administrative Department of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan P R E S I D E N T I A L L I B R A R Y TERRITORIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE UNITS C O N T E N T I. GENERAL INFORMATION ................................................................................................................. 3 II. BAKU ....................................................................................................................................................... 4 1. General background of Baku ............................................................................................................................ 5 2. History of the city of Baku ................................................................................................................................. 7 3. Museums ........................................................................................................................................................... 16 4. Historical Monuments ...................................................................................................................................... 20 The Maiden Tower ............................................................................................................................................ 20 The Shirvanshahs’ Palace ensemble ................................................................................................................ 22 The Sabael Castle .............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Position of Ganja-Gazakh Economical-Geographical Region in Azerbaijan Tourism Industry
    International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Science Vol. 5 No. 2 March 2017 The position of Ganja-Gazakh economical-geographical region in Azerbaijan tourism industry Ismayilova Elnare, PhD Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University, Tourism and Hospitality Faculty, Tourism business department, Azərbaycan Turizm və Menecment Universiteti, Turizm və Qonaqpərvərlik fakultəsi, Turizm biznesi kafedrası, Azərbaycan, Bakı şəh. Nərimanov ray. KoroğluRəhimov 822/23. AZ1072 Email: [email protected] Abstract It is possible to develop different types of tourism in Azerbaijan. The tourism industry must have assessed not only the capital city Baku as well as in other regions. The Development of tourism in Ganja- Gazakh economic and geographical region will impact revenues in the area of economic growth, flow foreign exchange, employment, the provision of modern infrastructure, international relations and so on. factors. There are great potentials to develop cultural, archaeological, ethnographic, ethnic and nostalgic, ecotourism, rural tourism and others in economic and geographic region. A number of programs have been adopted by the government to evaluate opportunities these potentials. As a result of government programs in the area of transport infrastructure has been repaired, new roads, several accommodation facilities were opened, a number of historical-architectural monuments have been restored, new museums were created. However, to adjust its market position in the area of tourism should be taken into to solve the price and service personnel problem. Key words: Azerbaijan tourism potential, tourism industry in Azerbaijan, types of tourism, Azerbaijan tourism infrastructure Introduction Located at the crossroads of European and Asian cultures, Azerbaijan is a country with great tourism opportunities in terms of geographical and climate conditions.
    [Show full text]
  • Nigar Aliyeva
    PROSPECTS FOR SPORTS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE CASPIAN REGION Nigar Aliyeva Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão Nigar Aliyeva PROSPECTS FOR SPORTS TOURISM DEVELOPMENT IN THE CASPIAN REGION A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master in Innovative Tourism Development Dissertation supervised by Professor Carlos Fernandes July 2015 I dedicate this dissertation to my family and friends, to whom I am extremely grate- ful for their support. JURY President Professor Olga Maria Pinto de Matos, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Coordinator of the Master in Innovative Tourism Development at the Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo Supervisor Professor Carlos de Oliveira Fernandes, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Tourism Studies at the Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo Examiner Professor Alexandra Correia, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Tourism Studies at the Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I have come a long way now in my studies in the Master course of Innovative Tourism Development at the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo. In this long journey of education, I have gained a lot of theoretical and research experience and I am thankful to everyone, especially to my professors and my supervisor who spared no efforts in channeling me in the right direction. Being the last project that I submit, and thus my last opportunity to express my gratitude to these people, I would like to name some of the persons who helped me greatly in this journey. My deepest gratitude is to my supervisor, Professor Carlos Fernandes. I have been amazingly fortunate to have a supervisor who gave me the freedom to ex- plore on my own and at the same time the supervision to recover when my steps faltered.
    [Show full text]
  • TOURISM AS the MAIN FACTOR of SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT of REGIONS in AZERBAIJAN Rufat MAMMADOV Phd
    TOURISM AS THE MAIN FACTOR OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONS IN AZERBAIJAN Rufat MAMMADOV PhD. Candidate, Business Administration Department, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences Qafqaz University, Azerbaijan [email protected] Abstract After World War II tourism industry grew rapidly. First attempts were centralized on mass tourism but as the industry developed the profits grew rapidly. New forms of tourism occurred. In this respect, the economic and social effects of tourism showed that this industry is one of the main industries after oil sector. Because from the socio-economic point of view the development of tourism in the country leads to reduction of unemployment, improvement of infrastructure, development of communication technologies, increase in nation’s welfare, interaction of cultural values. Together with those benefits thanks to tourism industry the positive image of the country is formulated in the world. Under this positive image it lies political and economical stability. Taking into consideration all these factors, Azerbaijan Government is also developing in this respect. In general, Azerbaijan is one of rare countries in the world possessing 9 climatic zones out of 11, at the same time, her tourism industry grew 22% in 2012 in comparison with the previous year. All these factors give the opportunity to develop tourism and receive benefits from it. It is not by chance Azerbaijan took effective policy in tourism. The regions in Azerbaijan have great opportunities for the development of ecotourism, mountainous tourism, religious tourism, sport tourism, medical tourism, recreational tourism, winter tourism, and sea, sand, sun tourism. The purpose of this article is to show the importance of tourism industry, indicate the current situation of tourism in Azerbaijan, show the current situation in the regions, the current policies and strategies for tourism, and in the conclusion to give proposals for future development of tourism.
    [Show full text]