Azerbaijan's new expectations for tourism sector

The Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry defined the development of domestic tourism as a priority for 2011, Ministry’s Tourism Department Head  Aydin Ismiyev said.  "Domestic tourism is well developed in recent years, and its development will remain a priority in 2012. In general, I appraise  the development rate of the tourism sector in Azerbaijan in 2011,” Ismiyev said.
 
Azerbaijani Tourism Agencies’ Association Head Nahid Bagirov said the announcement of 2011 as the ‘Year of Tourism’ in the country gave a nice boost to domestic tourism. "A year has passed very efficiently, and all, including employees of this sector, was able to observe this development,” he noted. 

Tourists show more and more interest in Azerbaijan. The tourist inflow to the country increased by 10 percent in 2011. In 2012, this figure will reach 20-30 percent.  “ Surely, Baku’s hosting the Eurovision-2012 Song contest will play a significant role here,” he added.

This year, Azerbaijan expects increase in the tourist inflow from the Arab countries, which is associated with the launch of direct flights by Qatar Airways. “ This provides additional opportunities not only for Azerbaijani tourists, but also for high tourist inflow to Azerbaijan especially from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and other Arab countries,” Bagirov said. He stressed that the opening of the summer and winter recreation center  Shakhdag  will also play a significant role here.
 

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