Duzdagh Nakhchivan's health paradise - integration of natural therapy and tourism

Abstract

In the field of health tourism, the therapeutic use of salt caves for respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic bronchitis has gained relevance amid growing interest in natural and noninvasive health interventions. Despite evidence of improved lung function and reduced medication use after treatment, a gap remains in the evaluation of these benefits alongside regional development metrics and sustainability practices. Therefore, the objective of this study is to analyze the potential of the Duzdag Physiotherapy Center as an interesting alternative for integrating speleotherapy into a sustainable health tourism model. A documentary analysis was conducted, concluding that this health tourism model in Duzdag offers several benefits, both for health and for the diversification of the local economy through job creation in the service sector and/or the strengthening of tourism infrastructure. However, this must be done while promoting practices that conserve the mine's microclimate and the responsible use of resources. Furthermore, while we have observed increases in the number of visitors interested in natural treatments, we believe this is not due to a lack of awareness of this option. Therefore, this study also seeks to disseminate the characteristics and benefits of the site. Our results suggest that Duzdag can serve as a replicable model for other regions with similar resources, encouraging health authorities and professionals to foster interdisciplinary approaches that balance clinical benefits, economic impact, and environmental protection. However, we emphasize the need for future studies on the long-term effects and scalability of the model.