Azerbaijan to expand ecotourism opportunities in the country, plans to open eco-parks

(TAN): The Azerbaijan Ecotourism Association (AETA), which was established to develop ecological culture and ecotourism in the country, will execute an experimental project to create eco-parks in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, reports said.

The project is intended to support and enable diversification of services in the sector, expand environmental culture and prepare the environment for tourists looking to participate in active outdoor tourism activities, as per reports. Outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, picnics, rock climbing, bird watching, and agritourism are reportedly becoming more popular with tourists.

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Experts including professional ecologists, climatologists, urban planners, and those from the tourism sector, among others, were reportedly consulted to look for opportunities to create eco-parks and explore areas suitable to develop these parks.

Eco-parks could help in a number of ways; they could encourage visitors, both local and foreign, to opt for outdoor tourism, inspire kids to spend time in nature, act as a space for recreation for the elderly, and produce employment, according to reports. Such parks can also improve the environmental situation of large cities, and boost ecotourism, reports said.

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The AETA is currently analysing the ecotourism opportunities of the Absheron Peninsula, Binagadi, Khazar, Surakhani, Narimanov, Sabayil, Garadagh, and Yasamal districts of Baku, especially their green and open spaces, and abandoned parks, as per reports. It plans to subsequently look for investment for the execution of its scheme, reports said.

The association, which aims to place Azerbaijan in a leading position among sustainable tourism nations, will also promote conservation of biodiversity, and production and promotion of new ecotourism products including ecological food, rural tourism and eco hospitality, on international markets representing the country.

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