TOURISM POTENTIAL AS A TOOL OF ECONOMIC DIVERSIFICATION: AN ASSESSMENT OF THE KARABAKH AND EAST ZANGEZUR REGIONS

Abstract

The article examines the role of the tourism sector as an instrument of economic diversification and evaluates the tourism potential of the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions within this context. The main objective of the study is to identify opportunities for tourism development in the liberated territories and to analyze the role of this sector in diversifying regional economic activities. Within the framework of the research, the theoretical foundations of tourism in terms of economic development and diversification, as well as relevant international experience, were examined. In addition, the current state of Azerbaijan’s tourism sector was analyzed. The results of the study indicate that the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions possess considerable tourism potential due to their rich natural landscapes, mineral water resources, mountainous terrain, and historical and cultural heritage. At the same time, several constraints affecting the development of tourism have been identified, including the ongoing formation of tourism infrastructure, limited investment opportunities, and insufficient international promotion of the region in global tourism markets. The article proposes several directions aimed at developing the tourism sector, strengthening regional development, and supporting economic diversification in the region. These include the development of tourism infrastructure, expansion of mountain and winter tourism, promotion of health tourism, formation of regional tourism routes, encouragement of tourism investments, workforce development in the tourism sector, and strengthening international tourism marketing.