Karabakh can become an important tourism destination in the future.
elchi reports that this was stated by Rolande Pryce, World Bank Regional Director for the South Caucasus.
She stated that it is impossible to express the volume of investment that should be attracted to Azerbaijan’s tourism sector in specific figures: “There are huge opportunities for investment. The government is already doing serious work in this direction and has managed to attract a number of major international luxury hotel brands to the Azerbaijani tourism sector.”
Rolande Pryce noted that one of the main messages of the report presented by the World Bank is increasing the role of tourism in diversifying the economy.
“Diversification of tourism products will create more investment and new jobs. This, in turn, will contribute to higher economic growth and the improvement of the population’s well-being,” she emphasized.
The World Bank representative also noted that Karabakh could become an important tourism destination in the future:
“Karabakh has great potential. The government is directing large amounts of funds to the reconstruction of the region. Tourism is one of the key areas that changes the development model of former conflict zones. If the Azerbaijani government has set a goal to turn Karabakh into a tourism destination, there are great opportunities here.”
Rolande Pryce stated that she does not see serious obstacles to private investment in Azerbaijan’s tourism sector:
“Investments are already coming. We are currently in one of the international-level hotels. I have been here many times. The level and quality of service are very high. It is just possible to create additional opportunities to encourage more investment.”
According to her, Azerbaijan’s tourism potential is not limited to Baku: “Directions such as nature tourism, ski tourism, hiking routes, health tourism, and cultural tourism can be developed. For this, small hotels, family-type guest houses, restaurants, professional guides, and other services must be formed. The places where tourists will go must be safe, attractive, and provided with necessary services.”
Rolande Pryce emphasized that different regions of the country have different advantages in terms of tourism, and which directions will be priorities should be determined together with the relevant tourism agencies.
“Once infrastructure, services, restaurants, and guides are provided, tourists will definitely come,” she added. (apa)