ECOTOURISM SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPACTS ON RURAL OF IN KHINALIG (AZERBAIJAN)

• Main Author: Babazade, Gulnar
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/55691
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in developing countries. Ecotourism is linked to sustainable development strategies and initiatives in several concepts. The aim of the study to investigate the idea of sustainable ecotourism development in the village of Khinalig (X?nal?q). The village residents, as well as locals in Azerbaijan, named this place Khinalig. Western academics use the term Xinaliq for this same village. Located in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Khinalig is one of the most remote and isolated villages in both Azerbaijan and Europe. The village, which is 5,000 years old and located at an altitude of 2,000 meters, has managed to preserve its traditions, ancient architecture, and local way of life. It's no coincidence that Khinalig is one of the fastest-growing ecotourism villages in the country. However, the concept of sustainable development of ecotourism in the village of Khinalig faces several problems. This study aims to investigate the impact of ecotourism on the sustainable development and traditional way of life in the village of Khinalig through economic, socio-cultural, and environmental structures. In addition, the extent to which the views of local villagers on the sustainable development of ecotourism are formed was analyzed. Qualitative analysis was used during the study. Interviews, and secondary sources, are the main survey tools used in this study. The information gathered as a result of the interview was processed and used to the greatest extent possible. The results show that although the local population in Khinalig is involved in the development of ecotourism, their views on the sustainable development of ecotourism are still not optimal. Although the awareness of the local population is insufficient, opinions have been formed accordingly. Economic, sociocultural, and environmental structures in Khinalig have had both negative and positive impacts on the long-term development of ecotourism and the local people's traditional way of life. The gradual modernization of Khinalig's ancient houses and the destruction of its ancient architectural design is one of the most significant negatives impacts on the environment's structure. As a consequence, the negative impacts of all three structures present a risk to the concept of ecotourism's sustainable development.