Innovations and Tourism Sector’s Development in Lankaran Economic District of Azerbaijan in Pandemic Conditions

Abstract

Tourism innovations are helping to increase the range of services offered. In the context of the pandemic, innovations have appeared virtual tours of museums, scenic natural places, hunting and fishing places, gastronomic cuisine of certain cities, etc. The Lankaran economic region of Azerbaijan is one of such attractive places for tourists. Because the Lankaran economic region was a border zone with Iran, it was impossible to come here for foreigners and the residents of Azerbaijan. With the restoration of the sovereignty of Azerbaijan, the Lankaran economic region began to develop its tourism industry, and in 2021, Lankaran became a UNESCO gastronomic city. With this in mind, the author analysed 1) the economic potential and the possibilities of innovative tourism services using in this region, 2) gave an export assessment of external and internal factors which influence the development and improvement of tourism in this area in the context of a pandemic, and 3) identified areas for improving tourism services further.