AZERBAIJAN is looking to attract well-heeled GCC tourists to the country, according to Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev.
“We have made significant investments to attract these markets by participating in regional shows and we will continue to be present at major events happening in 2013,” the minister says.
Azerbaijan is a country rich in natural resources, culture, and history, and its lifestyle presents a “unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of many different cultures and civilisations”.
The country has gone through a major transformation recently, focusing on tourism as a potential non-oil industry, and building new resorts and improving its infrastructure to support and welcome new arrivals, Garayev says, pointing out as an example the new Shahdag ski-resort which was inaugurated by President Ilham Aliyev last December.
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“In addition to the numerous four- and three-star hotels for any taste and budget, Azerbaijan today also offers excellent five-star hotels fully geared to accommodate high-end travellers to the country,” he says.
He continues: “We offer a great opportunity to explore our country and its tourism potential at the Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair (AITF), which will be held in Baku from April 4 to 6. Visitors will be able to discover astonishing and attractive tourist places as well as exchange views on the growth of tourism sector.”
Garayev says that Azerbaijan’s major inbound arrivlas are from its Russian and Turkish speaking neighbours “due to easy proximity and similarity in cultures”.
Meanwhile, arrivals from Europe, America and Southeast Asia have witnesse good growth with tourists from these markets “keen to explore our rich heritage and our excellent nine climate zones.”
Garayev says that over past three years, Azerbaijan has realised the strong potential that the GCC markets offer and to this end, has appointed a dedicated representative to cover the GCC in promoting the wealth of facilities that the country has to offer.
“Our biggest advantage is that we are only two hours and thirty minutes flying time from GCC, with direct flights to Dubai and Doha and excellent onward connections. Several other GCC carriers are keen to fly into Baku and we are sure to capitalise on this growing opportunity,” he says.
Azerbaijan’s tourist arrivals grew 11 per cent in 2012 and Garayev says his ministry is looking to double that figure that in 2013, and is confident that the GCC market “will spur that growth”.
Garayev adds that the government will continue to develop its infrastructure not only for individual tourists but also for the Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market.