World Bank sees Karabakh as future tourism investment hub

Karabakh has the potential to become one of Azerbaijan's leading tourism investment destinations as reconstruction progresses across the region, Rolande Pryce, the World Bank's Regional Director for the South Caucasus, said.

According to Pryce, the Azerbaijani government was investing significant resources in rebuilding the region, creating opportunities for long-term tourism development, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

"Tourism plays an important role in reintegrating former conflict-affected areas into economic life and supporting their transition to a new stage of development. If Azerbaijan's objective is to develop Karabakh into an international tourist destination, there are genuine opportunities to achieve this. At the same time, it is essential to gradually develop transport links, hotels, tourism services and other supporting infrastructure across the region, while also encouraging private investment," Pryce said.

She said Karabakh's natural landscapes, historical and cultural heritage, together with its expanding infrastructure, could provide a solid foundation for developing tourism products aimed at both domestic and international visitors.

Azerbaijan has allocated billions of dollars to rebuilding infrastructure, transport networks and public services in Karabakh since regaining control of the region, with the government identifying tourism as one of the key sectors for its long-term economic development.

By Aghakazim Guliyev