Prospects for the use of balneological and climatic resources of the liberated territories in health tourism

Abstract

The study reveals aspects of the development of health tourism on a global scale, current trends in this area, and the spread of medical tourism. The presence of abundant re- sources for the development of health tourism in the recently liberated territories, including plentiful thermal and mineral waters, a favorable microclimate, and the potential for organizing phytotherapy using medicinal plants, necessitates a comprehensive resource assessment. The global upswing in demand for health and spa tourism, coupled with an increasingly competitive landscape, underscores the need for a more comprehensive exploration of the existing potential. A new approach and methodology in health tourism and its place in international tourism are being investigated. Methodological approaches show new trends and competitiveness in health tourism. In the article, the evaluation of balneological climate resources in the liberated regions, the possibilities of their use in health tourism, and analysis of the current situation are made based on multi-criteria evaluation. The effects of healing mineral waters, microclimate and landscape factors from the region’s balneological climate resources on the development of health tourism are being investigated. It is stated that the balneological climatic resources of Kalbajar, Lachin and Shusha regions enable the formation of a competitive health tourism industry. At the same time, the current situation of health tourism in Azerbaijan, supply and demand analysis, development directions and main customer base are examined. Based on the tables, the advantages of mineral and thermal waters in the region are shown by comparing them with similar ones. The technological approach and the conceptual model proposed in the study identified the participation of relevant parties, invest- ment resources, opportunities for joint use with other types of tourism, as well as aspects of mutual development with other sectors of the economy. The authors came to the reasonable assertion that the available climatic, balneological and therapeutic mineral resources open wide prospects for the development of health tourism in such villages as Istisu and Zulfugarli of Lachin district and Dashalti village of Shusha district.