/By Azernews/

By Amina Nazarli

Large sports events are one of the main motivations that attract visitors and greatly contribute to the overall marketing of the destination by helping to create an image for the country.

For the past several years Azerbaijan, which hosted several gigantic sport events, could replenish the budget thanks to the economic impact of sports tourism.

During the grandiose first European Games taken place in Baku last summer, the Land of Fire was visited by more than 28,000 foreigners mainly from Russia, the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and UAE.

This year the country’s capital expects a large number of tourists to excite and ignite the passion and energy at the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship finals from May 5 to 21.

Chairman of Azerbaijan Tourism Association Nahid Bagirov believes that holding such a significant event may increase the visitors flow, adding that football has many fans around the world.

“The sport is preserving the interest for many years. Azerbaijan has formed a contingent of football fans, and interest in the sport is increasing every year, both in the country and around the world as a whole. Football championship among boys u-17 has its fans,” he said.

Bagirov emphasized during the championship Azerbaijan will be in the spotlight of the whole Europe.

“Some visitors will visit Baku for the first time. They will have good opportunity to get familiarized with our country and its attractions. Those fans who, for one or another reason will not be able to come to the European Championship, will be able to see Baku on their television screens,” he said.

In order to increase the flow of visitors in connection with the Championship, earlier in February 15, the President Ilham Aliyev signed an order aiming at simplification of visa procedures for foreigners and stateless persons.

The chairman believes that holding such a major sporting event in Azerbaijan is of great importance from an economic point of view.

“Arrival of tourists will ensure the flow of financial funds into the country. Of course, holding such an event is one of the steps to increase the international prestige of Azerbaijan,” he said. “We will only benefit from the event.”

Sport in Azerbaijan is supported at the state level stresses, AFFA Secretary General Elkhan Mammadov.

Azerbaijan hosts several international sporting events every year incuding World and European Championships, Mammadov said, noting that they play a huge role in enhancing the country's image abroad.

“Azerbaijan hosted 2012 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and now after four years, Baku will hold the championship for the men's under-17, which has rich history dated back to the 1980s. If earlier it was attended by only eight of the strongest teams in Europe, then now their number has doubled up to 16,” he emphasized.

This year Azerbaijan is going to attend thousands of foreign tourists, since Baku is in anticipation of holding major sporting events such as FIG World Challenge Cup in Artistic Gymnastics, 2016 Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe, World Chess Olympiad, while next year the country will see the IV Islamic Games and the quarterfinals and three group games for Euro 2020.

AFFA Secretary General added that the Championship itself may become an outstanding event for the young football players, who can become the future stars.

“Famous football player Wayne Rooney, for instance, participated in European Championship U-17 and was named the best player of the Championship. He has become famous and now plays for the English club "Manchester United". This Championship will provide an opportunity to open the bright and talented players and will be a good practice for our players,” he said.