Azerbaijan tightens requirements for obtaining permits for tourism activities

In 2011, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan is planning to tighten the requirements for obtaining licenses for tourism activities in the country, the minister Abulfaz Garayev said Thursday.

"We intend to tighten conditions for obtaining a license, and the main condition would be the availability of highly qualified personnel, the minister said. - Travel companies which have not such staff will be closed."

In the Year of Tourism in 2011, it is also planned to monitor service quality and availability of licenses, he said.

"In the Year of Tourism, the Ministry is preparing to launch activities that envisage various aspects of tourism development in the country," said Garayev.

Activities are conducted under the approved State tourism development program for the period of 2011-2014, which is the foundation of the Year of Tourism.

"Based on this program, we are implementing measures to attract foreign investments into the country, train highly qualified staff both in Baku and in regions of the country, improve the quality of services," the minister said.

According to the minister, annually Azerbaijan also participates in 20-25 international exhibitions.

The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2010 issued 38 licenses to provide travel services to businesses and individuals. Currently there are 207 licensed tourism companies in the country.

During 2010, licenses were issued to 21 legal and physical persons for providing hotel services. Currently there are 295 hotels and hotel-type facilities based on a license of the Ministry. Last year 16 hotels and hotel-type facilities passed the state classification, and the number of such facilities reached 77.


/Trend/