Through foreigners’ eyes: European Games to provide Azerbaijan with exposure to world of sports

The upcoming European Games will provide Azerbaijan with another great exposure to the world of sports and tourism as during the Eurovision Song Contest in 2012, Italy’s oil company ENI project manager Nour Laouir said.

“As for the economics, I believe with oil and gas prices stumbling, these games will attract more visitors,” he said. “It is 'fresh air' to the local economy i.e. transport, hotels, museum, resorts, catering services etc.”

“The first European Games will offer local citizens an opportunity to sample an interaction with people from different nationalities and background,” he said. “This is also an opportunity for visitors to know about Azerbaijan and communicate that knowledge hopefully to the rest of the world. This ultimately will attract more visitors each year.”

Baku 2015 is the first ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent which will take place on June 12-28, 2015.

There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.

Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.

/By Trend/