MAIN DIRECTIONS OF DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC TOURISM IN AZERBAIJAN

Abstract

Azerbaijan has a favorable potential for expanding domestic tourism with its rich natural resources, diverse cultural heritage and economic and social development strategies. In recent years, the restoration of the Karabakh and East Zangezur economic regions, the modernization of transport and logistics infrastructure, the formation of the ―North-West‖ and ―North-East‖ tourism corridors, as well as regional tourism clusters are among the main directions expanding the scope of the domestic tourism market. Domestic tourism has begun to develop more dynamically, especially in the post-pandemic period, against the background of changes in the travel behavior of the population.The analysis conducted by destinations shows that the main types of domestic tourism are the following: leisure and health tourism (Naftalan, Galaaltı, Lankaran), ecotourism and mountain tourism (Gabala, Guba, Shamakhi), cultural-historical tourism (Shusha, Sheki, Ganja), rural and agrotourism (Zagatala, Gakh, Ismayilli), religious-spiritual tourism (Nakhchivan, Bibiheybat, Pirsaatchay). With the liberation of Karabakh, new destinations such as Shusha, Hadrut, Fuzuli and Agdam are becoming important centers of attraction for domestic tourists.