| Shahla Gahramanova, Kamal Ibrahimov From Caspian Shores to Mountain Peaks: ICT-Powered Tourism Resilience in Azerbaijan |
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| Abstract. Azerbaijan’s diverse geography – from mountain resorts and forested na-tional parks to coastal areas along the Caspian Sea and historic urban centers – makes the country increasingly vulnerable to climate-related risks that af-fect tourism. The country spans 9 out of 11 major climate types, which generates highly varied tourism patterns, including more than 2 million annual visitors to Baku and approximately 250-300 thousand to major mountain resorts such as Shahdag and Gabala. These hazards – including heatwaves, landslides, flooding, coastal storms and pressures on heritage sites pose challenges to visitor safety and long-term sustainable develop-ment. This paper examines how information and communication technolo-gies (ICT) can strengthen tourism risk management and climate adaptation in Azerbaijan, including regions with still-developing digital infrastructure. The paper highlights a range of accessible ICT tools (weather monitoring plat-forms, mobile alert systems, open-source GIS mapping and digital route guidance) that can support early warning, visitor management and spatial planning. Special attention is given to the role of crowdsourced information, including tourist feedback, geotagged images and community-based report-ing. These sources can provide valuable insights even in the absence of cost-ly technological systems. Based on this analysis, the paper proposes a practi-cal model for integrating ICT into local governance and destination man-agement in Azerbaijan. The findings suggest that even simple digital solu-tions can enhance climate resilience, protect cultural and natural heritage and improve the overall safety and experience of visitors. This approach supports Azerbaijan’s broader strategy to develop smart, sustainable and competitive tourism destinations. |
| Keywords: Azerbaijan Tourism, Climate Adaptation, Risk Management, ICT Tools, Re-silient Tourism Planning, Sustainable Destinations |
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| DOI: https://doi.org/10.54381/itta2026.2.04 |