Twinning Project AZ/15/ENP/OT/35 Support to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan for the modernization of its policy and management system in the culture sector Component 2 – Institutional Development of cultural heritage management Activity 5.3: Setting up integrated territorial management plans for MCT’s Regional Culture and Tourism Departments Regional Culture and Tourism Departments Integrated Management Planning -Lankaran – 1 FOREWORD ...................................................................................................................................... 4 1. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 6 1.1 INSTITUTIONAL CONTEXT ....................................................................................................................................... 6 1.2. REFERENCES TO EU-FUNDED TWINNING PROJECT "STRENGTHENING THE CAPACITY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM IN THE MINISTRY OF CULTURE AND TOURISM OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN" AZ12/ENP- PCA/OT/22 (2013-2015) ............................................................................................................................................... 8 1.3AZERBAIJAN IN THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF CULTURAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMMES .......... 9 1.3.1 Council of Europe “Cultural Routes” .......................................................................................................... 9 1.3.2 The European Route of Jewish Heritage (2004) .......................................................................................... 9 1.3.3 Iter Vitis Route (2009) .................................................................................................................................... 9 1.3.4 Prehistoric Rock Art Trails (2010) ............................................................................................................. 10 1.3.5 European Route of Historic Thermal Towns (2010) ................................................................................. 10 1.4 WORLD TOURISM ORGANIZATION (UNWTO) PROGRAMMES ............................................................................ 10 1.4.1 Silk Road Programme .................................................................................................................................. 10 1.4.2 Western Silk Road Tourism Development Initiative ................................................................................ 10 1.5 UNESCO SILK ROAD PROJECT ............................................................................................................................ 11 1.5.1 Definition ....................................................................................................................................................... 11 1.5.2 The Silk Road online platform .................................................................................................................... 11 1.5.3 Azerbaijan in the Silk Road UNESCO Project.......................................................................................... 11 2. LANKARAN SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS .............................................................................. 12 DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 2.1. NATURAL HERITAGE ............................................................................................................................................ 13 2.1.1 Specially Protected Nature Areas ............................................................................................................... 14 2.1.1.1 Offered services and amenities .................................................................................................................................. 15 2.1.1.2 Tourism activity ......................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.1.1.3 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................................................... 16 2.2 CULTURAL HERITAGE ........................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1 Tangible ......................................................................................................................................................... 18 2.2.1.1 Monuments and archaeological/ historical sites ........................................................................................................ 19 2.2.1.2 Museums, Memorials, Libraries ................................................................................................................................ 20 2.2.1.3 Printing houses .......................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.1.4 Contemporary art ...................................................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.1.5 Stakeholders of tangible heritage ............................................................................................................................... 21 2.2.2 Intangible ...................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.2.2.1 Performing arts (Theatres, dance,concerts), Events, Festivals .................................................................................. 23 2.2.2.2Folklore ...................................................................................................................................................................... 23 2.2.2.4 Stakeholders of intangible heritage ........................................................................................................................... 24 2.3 FOOD AND BEVERAGES .......................................................................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 Stakeholders.................................................................................................................................................. 26 2.4 CRAFTS AND TRADITIONAL PRODUCTIONS ........................................................................................................... 26 2.4.3 Stakeholders.................................................................................................................................................. 27 2.5 TOURISM SECTOR .................................................................................................................................................. 27 2.5.1 Institutional framework and offer .............................................................................................................. 27 2.5.1.1 Travel agencies and other intermediaries .................................................................................................................. 28 2.5.1.2 Transportation services ............................................................................................................................................. 29 2.5.1.3 Accommodations and hospitality ............................................................................................................................... 29 2.5.1.4 Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................................................... 30 2.6 CULTURE CLUBS ................................................................................................................................................... 31 2.6.1 Current situation .......................................................................................................................................... 32 2.6.2 Culture Clubs proposed for not to be privatized ....................................................................................... 33 3. LANKARAN REGIONAL CULTURE AND TOURISM DEPARTMENT KEY ATTRACTORS AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES .................................................... 35 3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF DEPARTMENT’S KEY ATTRACTORS.................................................................................. 35 3.1.1 Lankaran district .............................................................................................................................. 35 3.1.2 Astara district ............................................................................................................................................... 36 3.1.3 Lerik district ................................................................................................................................................. 38 3.2 SUMMARY OF THE DATA COLLECTED ................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.1 Natural heritage ........................................................................................................................................... 39 3.2.2 Cultural heritage .........................................................................................................................................