2011 was the “Year of Tourism” for Azerbaijan, and the country further established its tourism credentials as visitor numbers into Azerbaijan saw a strong increase of 30 per cent, according to Rashid Al Noori, the chairman of Atlantis Holidays.
Last year, Atlantis Holidays was appointed as the official representatives of Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Tourism and Culture in the GCC region.
“Our appointment as the Middle East representative has only supplemented this tourism growth,” Al Noori said. “The awareness of the destination among GCC residents has grown tremendously and we continue to work with the trade to spread the word about what the destination has to offer.”
“Azerbaijan has gone through a phenomenal amount of transformation post their independence. The country is continuously working towards developing its infrastructure in order to boost tourism. It’s a new country - vibrant and historical. One has to make the best out of its past and ensure it is translated to a beautiful city,” he added.
Al Noori adds that its proximity to the GCC states (just 2.5 hours away), offering the best of nature’s beauty – the country is blessed with nine of the existing 11 climatic zones, a high-end tourism product and a sense of belonging – makes it a perfect choice for Arab travellers.
Azerbaijan also offers over 6,000 historical architectural monuments, picturesque natural landscapes, health resorts and mineral spas offering natural therapies as well as popular organic Azeri cuisine.
“Culture helps a lot when it comes to choosing a destination. Guests want to go to a place where there is a sense of belonging. In today’s tourism, a lot of people have shifted from one country to another because of the feeling of isolation. The city has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping, food, sightseeing and I believe that is an added value,” he adds.
When it comes to numbers, the country witnessed a 30 per cent increase in tourist arrivals from the GCC in 2011. The majority of the arrivals were from Dubai followed by Qatar following the launch of the direct flights from Doha. He added, “We are hopeful to close 2012 with a sizeable increase in arrivals with more arrivals from the UAE and Saudi Arabia. The demand is there. The awareness continues to grow and we are confident of achieving a three digit growth for 2012.”
Al Noori further adds that the main agenda is to attract high spending travellers, and capitalise on high-end net-worth segments, particularly from the Middle East. “
“Azerbaijan is not a cheap destination. It is easy to develop a back-packer market but that was never the agenda. Today Azerbaijan offers tourists a five-star tourism infrastructure with five-star hotel accommodation options with hotels including the Fairmont, Jumeirah, Four Seasons and Marriott as well as high-end shopping facilities.”
Besides these its most ambitious project is a unique ski resort being developed in Shakhdag. The resort will be a year-round tourist complex serving up to 10,000 tourists daily. The 2,000-hectacre Shakhdag ski resort is located 32 kms north of Gusar regional centre. The Eurovision 2012 and the country’s bidding for Baku2020 Summer Olympic are initiatives that will continue to promote tourism in the country.