KARABAKH AND EAST ZANGAZUR TOURISM REGION
Karabakh is one of the most beautiful regions of Azerbaijan. Karabakh, which has a fascinating picturesque nature, rich spiritual and cultural traditions, is the birthplace of many prominent Azerbaijani scientists, poets, writers, artists, musicians, and singers. Karabakh is the cradle of Azerbaijani music. Hundreds of music works, one of the most ancient and rare samples of Azerbaijan folk folklore, were created in Karabakh.
Karabakh is one of the most ancient historical regions of Azerbaijan. In 1968, the remains of an ancient man were found in the Azikh cave located in the territory of Karabakh. It is likely that people lived in this area 250-300 thousand years ago. The rich nature and natural resources of these ancient lands were always in the spotlight.
Unfortunately, as a result of nearly 30 years of occupation, all our wealth has been exploited and plundered in these territories. The enemy has not rebelled against his abominations, making everything self-sufficient. Cultural centers, museums, historical monuments located here have also been destroyed, destroyed and valuable items having an ancient history have been taken out of our country. The occupation regime conducted illegal archaeological excavations in different regions of Karabakh until the end of the second Karabakh War, and artifacts found were transported to Armenia. Our historical and cultural monuments were plundered, all the infrastructure was destroyed, the mosque and its minarets, which are considered an ancient architectural monuments, were destroyed and shrines were destroyed.
Despite all this Destruction, material, and moral damage, our state is engaged in the restoration of our religious, historical, and cultural monuments, which were barbarized on the one hand. The cultural construction work started in Shusha, which is considered the cradle of Karabakh's culture, will be continued in our other regions. Over a short period of time, the mausoleum of Vagif, the bust of Vagif were reopened, the monument to Uzeyir Hajibeyli was reconstructed, the restoration of the destroyed House of Uzeyir Hajibeyli began, the opening of the Bulbul House Museum took place, and the Natavan spring was restored. Busts of our great personalities – Natavan, Uzeyir Hajibeyli, and Bulbul, shot down by Armenians, were brought and laid in the central square on the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev. Repair and restoration work started in three mosques, Vagif poetry days, and the "Kharibulbul" festival was restored. The role of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation in the restoration of all this cultural activity is undeniable. "Garabagh" and “Kharibulbul” hotels were commissioned in Shusha within a short period of time. The construction of 3 airports in Karabakh is not accidental either. The Fuzuli Airport has already started functioning, and the opening of Zangilan and Lachin airports in the near future is not ruled out. This will allow both local and foreign tourists, who wish to come to the cultural capital of Azerbaijan, Shusha, which is considered the Pearl of Karabakh, to travel to the Istisu resort with amazing nature, ecotourism opportunities of Kalbajar to make their travel more comfortable and easy.
The tourism potential of Karabakh is very rich, there are all opportunities for the development of many types of tourism — ecotourism, mountain tourism, winter tourism, hunting, and health tourism. The strategy and concept of the tourism development of liberated territories by the State Tourism Agency have been developed. In addition to traditional tourism in Kalbajar, winter and health tourism can be developed. Shusha, which is considered the cradle of culture, is mainly planned to hold festivals, to show the results of the "dark" occupation in Aghdam and business tourism. Khojavand also has special tourism potential. It is more appropriate to introduce tug and Hadrut into the wine route. The famous Azikh cave, Taglar cave are also located in this area. There are certain plans related to Sugovushan too.
This ancient region of Azerbaijan has its own flora and fauna, cuisine, historical cultural and religious monuments, ancient fortresses, bridges, forests, springs, etc. it will attract tourists with its sights. Various types of extreme tourism, agrotourism, and green tourism can also be organized in Karabakh, which is rich in natural resources. All this creates broad prospects for the development of Tourism. Kalbajar is an ideal place for winter tourism. It is important to establish the tourism infrastructure in the form of interaction in our liberated territories. Shusha will be one of the symbol cities of Azerbaijan tourism. Historical monuments and unique architecture of Shusha, the Pearl of Azerbaijani culture, will create new tourist routes.
Lachin reserve with an area of more than 21 thousand hectares will expand the tourism opportunities of Lachin, which has a fairly wide range of recreational opportunities and has rich flora and fauna. Even before the occupation, there were 2 large sanatoriums of all-Union importance in the Istisu settlement of Kalbajar. Every year 50 thousand people were treated there and rested. With the "Istisu" mineral waters here, it was possible to cure both external and internal diseases of man. There was even a resort and a mineral water filling plant. According to experts, the relief of Kalbajar allows the construction of the most amazing canaries of the world, the construction of the most interesting tourist services. In the future, it is possible to create the largest tourist center in the Caucasus.
At the same time, the "tourist route of Caucasian Albania" will play an important role in exposing Armenian lies that falsified the history of Karabakh. The route is prepared on the basis of advice and recommendations of scientists studying Caucasian Albania. The Albanian culture route covers 3 main corridors of Azerbaijan — Baku-Sheki-Zagatala, Ganja-Gazakh, and Karabakh. Traces of Albanian culture are more in Karabakh and East Zangezur. It has a rich heritage related to Caucasian Albania. This place includes temples, churches, as well as traditions, etc. included. It should be noted that the tourist route, which will be created in the footsteps of the ancient Albanian culture, will be of particular importance for the promotion of the rich and historical tourism potential of our country, as well as Karabakh.
Hard work is underway to create the necessary tourism infrastructure to promote the existing tourism potential of Karabakh. It should be emphasized that tourism, along with the economic side, has a promotional side. Tourists will rest in our Karabakh, enjoy the beauty of nature, cultural and historical monuments, the favorable environment created, as well as get acquainted with some buildings to be demonstrated as exhibits to show the results of occupation in our territories such as Aghdam, Jabrayil, Fuzuli and see what situation Karabakh was brought into by Armenian barbarians, and now they will be witnessing how they are improved by their true owners.
In general, there are broad plans to develop tourism in Karabakh and East Zangezur. In the next 4 years, considering domestic and foreign tourists, Karabakh is expected to receive 1 million people.