Ethno-tourism potential of the Shaki-Zagatala economic region: opportunities and challenges
Abstract
Problem statement. The ethnic tourism potential of the Shaki-Zagatala economic region, which is one of the regions with a rich ethnic composition of Azerbaijan, the usage possibilities of ethno-tourism and the emerging problems were investigated in the research paper. Studying the ethno-tourism opportunities of the region is fairly important in terms of recognition of the area from an ethnic point of view, employment of the local population and protection of ethno-diversity.
Purpose. The primary aim of the research is to study the current state of ethnic tourism in the region, explore the possibilities of using it, and for this, conduct a SWOT analysis and prepare a development model for eliminating the emerging problems. It is also necessary to explore potential areas for ethno-tourism in the region and prepare an ethno-tourism route for this.
Research methods. To carry out research in the area, literature and archive materials were examined, statistical materials were obtained, structural-functional analysis, generalization, and historical and geographic modelling methods were used. Along with this, field research works were also conducted to get to know the region more closely and to study cultural-heritage tourism opportunities.
Research results. As a result of the conducted research, it was found that the region has a very rich ethnic composition and it is possible to witness this diversity in all districts. Although the region has rich ethno-tourism opportunities, they are still underutilized. This is due to the extremely low level of production and social infrastructure in the economic region. Unequivocally, although the social infrastructure is convenient in the ethno-diverse villages located near the district centres, the quality of the infrastructure decreases while moving away from the district centre. The second essential problem of the region is the lack of guest houses and hotels for overnight stays in the area or the location of most of them in the district centre and adjacent villages.
Conclusion. Taking into the general situation, it is possible to develop tourism, especially ethno-tourism, in the Shaki-Zagatala economic region, which is relatively backward in terms of sustainable development. To ensure the comfort of the tourists coming to this region, the construction or repair of roads along the ethno-tourism route, and the organization of catering and accommodation services are among the main priorities. The development of this type of tourism in the region will eliminate the problem of unemployment among the population in these places, assist in increasing the income of the population, and play a special role in protecting the ethnic diversity of the country and putting it on the map.
Downloads
References
Berestok, A.A. (2015). Tourist image of Sumy region (Based on sociological research). V.N. Karazin Kharkiv Na-tional University. 43, 101-106.
Bolnick, S. (2003). Promoting the Culture Sector through Job Creation and Small Enterprise Development in SADC Countries: The Ethno-tourism Industry. Geneva: International Labour Organization. 79.
Cohen, E. (1987). Tourism: A Critique. Tourism Recreation Research, 12(2), 13-18. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02508281.1987.11014508
Cohen, E. (1988). Authenticity and commoditization in tourism. Annals of Tourism Research, 15, 371–386. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(88)90028-X
Esman, M. (1984). Tourism as ethnic preservation: The Cajuns of Louisiana. The Annals of Tourism Research, 11, 451–467. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(84)90031-8
Greenwood, D. J. (1989). Culture by the pound: An anthropological perspective on tourism as cultural commoditi-zation. 2, 171-185.
Harbiankova, A., Gertsberg, L. (2022). Information Model for Sustainable Rural Development. Energies. 15(11), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15114009
Henderson, J. (2003). Ethnic heritage as a tourist attraction: The Peranakans of Singapore. International Journal of Heritage Studies. 9(1), 27–44. https://doi.org/10.1080/1352725022000056613
Huseynova, B.A. (2021). National-ethnic characteristics of demographic development in the northern regions of Azerbaijan (on the example of the Shaki-Zagatala economic-geographical region). Geography and tourism. 64, 70-77. https://doi.org/10.17721/2308-135X.2021.64.70-77
Huseynova, B.A. (2023). Depopulation of the Ethnic Diverse Mountain Villages in the Northwestern Part of Azer-baijan and the Development of a Sustainable Rural Development Model. Regional Geosystems, 47(1), 34–48. https://doi.org/ 10.52575/2712-7443-2023-47-1-34-48
Huseynova, B.A. (2022). Etho-tourism potential of the Gakh district. Multicultural values and development prob-lems of tourism in the Caspian littoral states. 114-119.
Jamison, D. (1999). Tourism and ethnicity: The brotherhood of coconuts. Annals of Tourism Research, 26(4), 944–967. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0160-7383(99)00042-0
Mclnerney, J. (2003). Hellenicity: Between ethnicity and culture by Jonathan M. Hall. The International History Review, 25(3), 636-638. https://doi.org/10.2307/40109402
King, B. (1994). What is ethnic tourism? An Australian perspective. Journal of Tourism Management. 15(3), 173-176. https://doi.org/10.1016/0261-5177(94)90101-5
Klieger, P.C. (1990). Close encounters: ‘‘Intimate’’ tourism in Tibet. Cultural Survival Quarterly, 14(2), 38–42.
Li, X., Xie, C., Morrison, A.M., Nguyen, T.H. (2021). Experiences, Motivations, Perceptions, and Attitudes Regard-ing Ethnic Minority Village Tourism. Sustainability. 13, 23-64. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/su13042364.
Li, Y., Li, R. (2002). On the institutional environment and innovation of China’s tourism planning. Tourism Tribune, 17(3), 26-30.
Mathias, B. (2015). Ethnicity and Ethnic Groups: Historical Aspects. International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. 2(8), 136-141. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-08-097086-8.62015-9
Niemets, L., Sehida, K., Lohvinova, M., Kraynukov, O., Kliuchko, L. (2018) Rural Tourism in Ukraine: Peculiarities and Trends of Development. Proceedings of the 32nd International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA) (Seville, Spain). P. 290-301. URL: https://ibima.org/accepted-paper/rural-tourism-in-ukraine-peculiarities-and-trends-of-development/
Niemets L., Kandyba Yu., Kobylin P., Kostrikov S., Dobrovolskaya N., Telebienieva Ie. (2021). Integral Assessment of Ethnic Tourism in Ukraine: Resource Provision and Regional Features. Proceedings of the 37th International Business Information Management Association Conference (IBIMA) (Cordoba, Spain) Р. 2077-2083. URL: https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=kZnoamXZkmWu5WL4oKu11pUI7owucy5MxBFk#folder=9238065447&tpl=publicfoldergrid
Picard, M., Wood, R. (1997). Tourism, Ethnicity and the State in Asian and Pacific Societies. USA: University of Hawai Press, 259.
Ryan, C., Aicken, M. (2005). Indigenous tourism: the commodification and management of culture. Amsterdam: Elsevier 284. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780080914008
Sari, C., Sehida, K., Çakir, G., & Telebienieva, I. (2023). Features of the local community involvement in the social tourism development (case study – Serik district, Antalya, Turkey). Visnyk of V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National Uni-versity, series "Geology. Geography. Ecology'', (59), 221-236. https://doi.org/10.26565/2410-7360-2023-59-16
Smith, V.L. (1992). Hosts and guests. American Behavioral Scientist. 36(2), 187-199. https://doi.org/10.1177/
Smith, V.L. (1989). Hosts and Guests: The Anthropology of Tourism. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 341.
Sokoloenko, A.V., Mazurova, A.V. (2015). Tourist branding Project of Kharkiv region districts: Ethno-cultural as-pect. V.N. Karazin Kharkiv National University. 43, 174-183.
Swain, M. (1993). Women producers of ethnic arts. Annals of Tourism Research. 20, 32-51.
Van den Berghe, P. (1992). Tourism and the ethnic division of labor. Annals of Tourism Research, 19, 234-249. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(92)90079-5
Wood, R.E. (1993). Tourism, culture and the sociology of development. London: Routledge. 23.
Wood, R.E. (1997). Tourism, ethnicity, and the state in Asian and Pacific societies. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. 259.
Wood, R.E. (2010). Touristic ethnicity: A brief itinerary. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 21(2), 218–241. https://doi.org/10.1080/014198798329991
Xia, Z, Hu, W. (2001). The consideration about current tourism planning. Journal of Higher Correspondence Edu-cation (Natural Sciences), 14(3), 45-49.
Yang, L. (2007). Planning for Ethnic Tourism: Case Studies from Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Ontario: A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfilment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor in Philoso-phy in Planning, 370.
Yang L. (2011). Ethnic tourism and cultural representation. Annals of Tourism Research. 38(2), 561-585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2010.10.009
Yang, L., Wall, G. (2023). Ethnic Tourism: Impacts, Challenges and Opportunities (1st ed.). Routledge. 238. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003373964
Abbasov, N.Z. (2000). Ancient Azerbaijani land - Gakh. Baku: 172 [in Azerbaijani].
Bunyadov, Z.M. (1989). Azerbaijan in the VII-IX centuries. Baku: 336 [in Azerbaijani].
Demographic indicators of Azerbaijan-2023. (2023). Baku: State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbai-jan. 593 [in Azerbaijani].
Eminov, Z.N. (2005). Population of Azerbaijan. Baku: 558 [in Azerbaijani].
Encyclopedic dictionary of Azerbaijani toponyms. (2007). In 2 Vol. 1st Vol. Baki: 304 [in Azerbaijani].
Imrani, Z.T., Rahimov Y.R. (2018). The role of new ecotourism facilities in the sustainable development of the Shaki-Zagatala economic-geographic region. Journal of Geography and Natural Resources. 2(8). 75-80 [in Azer-baijani].
Ismayilova, E.A. (2017). Historical and cultural tourism. Baki.: 272 [in Azerbaijani].
Javadov G.J., Huseynov R. (1999). Udis (historical and ethnographic essay). Baki.; 256 [in Azerbaijani].
Javadov, G.J. (2000). Ethnic and national minorities of Azerbaijan. Baku.; 436 [in Azerbaijani].
Moisey, K. (2006). History of Albania. Baku: 296 [in Azerbaijani].
Population census materials in the Republic of Azerbaijan-2019. (2022). Baku: State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. XXI Vol. 810 [in Azerbaijani].
Regions of Azerbaijan-2023. (2023). Baku: State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 865 [in Azerbaijani].
Soltanov, H.B. (2015). Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan and its development. Baku: AzTU, 476 [in Azerbaija-ni].
Tahirzada R. (2013). Saribash and Saribashins. Baku: 484 [in Azerbaijani].
Tourism in Azerbaijan (2023). Baku: State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan. 100 [in Azerbaija-ni].
Arkhitektura Azerbaydzhana (Epokha Nizami) (1947). M.-Baku: Gosudarstvennoye arkhitekturnoye izdatel'stvo Akademii arkhitektury SSSR. 444.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
