 TOURISM:
A NEW FRONTIER |
Tourism is one of developing branches of the
economy of Azerbaijan. The state and private business
have recently begun work on a transformation of
the country into the new tourist center of the
world.
Azerbaijan - the country of mountains (the Great
and Small Caucasus, uplands Talysh), with the
big extent of sea coast (the general strip of
coast of Caspian sea, belonging to Azerbaijan,
makes more than 500 kilometers) hopes to bring
to market its tourism potential to attract foreign
dollars.
The natural landscapes, climate, and cultural
heritage of Azerbaijan create favorable conditions
for the development of all directions of tourism.
In the country are present about ten reserves,
large forests with unique fauna and flora. Fans
of productive leisure can engage in sports fishing
of a trout in mountain small rivers or a scuba
diving and hunting on Caspian sea, as well as
horse riding in mountains or woods.
Curative sources with mineral water of various
structure and properties in huge quantity are
available practically in all mountain areas of
the country. Mud volcanoes could also help foster
the promotion of therapeutic mud masks. At last,
promoting development of tourism could attribute
a soft climate to advantages, and it offers an
opportunity to accept tourists on resorts along
coast five months in a year - from May till September.
The historical heritage of the country is strewn
with thousand-year monuments. A vivid example:
rock figures of a prehistoric epoch of a neolith
in Gobustan (50 km on the south from capital),
brought in lists of protected monuments of UNESCO.
Among numerous monuments of culture, it is possible
to see Roman fortresses and numerous remains of
medieval fortresses, caravans-sheds, mausoleums
of an Islamic epoch or early Christian monuments
of the Caucasian Albania. The architectural shape
of Baku is also a gem worth the visit - the three-million
capital of the Azerbaijan was connected to the
medieval east, boasting an architectural eclecticism
from the end of XIX century.
| EXISTING
TOURIST INFRASTRUCTURE |
|
Presently there are 93 hotels in Azerbaijan,
hotels and motels, but only a little from them
meet international standards (Hyatt Regency,
Grand Hotel Europe, Radisson SAS). It is true,
however, that a swift process of certification
of other hotels has been delayed owing to legal
delays, yet it is expected that this question
will be solved by the end of 2004. Currently the
majority of local hotels cannot apply more, than
for two-three stars on the European classification,
given the fact that most of these hotels were
constructed in days of the Soviet Union.
In 2003, 27 hotels were offered up for privatization,
but even after privatization the majority of hotels
remain at a very primitive level.
| ESTABLISHING
A TOURISM BRANCH: A NEW PRIORITY OF THE STATE
|
Within the framework of the State program on
development of tourism has divided the country
into six zones of development of tourism. In each
zone a separate project will be prepared and submitted
with consideration of potential investors.
For example, the infrastructure of the tourist
zone of Nabran (northern part of coast of Caspian
Sea) has seen an investment of about $15 million.
In result, such new zones of rest have appeared
there. The zone of rest Nabran is in the Khachmaz
area located in northeast of Azerbaijan. It is
located on the coast of the Caspian sea, along
large forests known for its springs and sources.
Despite of backwardness of its infrastructure,
Nabran is one of the most luxurious zones of Azerbaijan.
This is thanks to the presence of good roads,
communications, water supplies, telecommunications,
and an efficient drainage system.
Meanwhile, one of the largest and known modern
hotel complexes on Apsheron is hotel Crescent
Beach located in several kilometers to the
south from capital.
A growing potential for investment is also in
the subtropical zone of southern coast of Caspian
sea.
| EFFORTS
TO DEVELOP TOURISM |
The Ministry of youth, sports and tourism created
three years ago is making huge efforts to develop
tourism and attract investments into this segment
of economy. This also relates to the membership
of Azerbaijan to the World Tourist Organization
(WTO).
As Abulfaz Karayev, the Minister of youth,
sports and tourism said: "We are interested
in building up the tourism development strategy
for the next 50 years, but it does not depend
completely on us. We agreed with the US government
through the Trade Development Agency that they
will finance the creation of the master plan of
development of tourism in Azerbaijan".
The government is ready to invest to tourism
development. In 2004 it is expected that 14 to
15 projects will be financed by National fund
for support of business of Azerbaijan. The
ministry works above opening of Institute of tourism.
A number of actions on a professional training
is already moving ahead, and experts have passed
training in Turkey and attended special technical
schools to learn new techniques. Financial support
also stems from the Program of Development of
United Nations (UNDP).
Negotiations about construction new or reconstruction
of old hotels in Baku are conducted with business
circles of Italy, while businessmen of Saudi Arabia
are working on a project for the development of
mountain-skiing tourism in Gusar
The promotion of Azerbaijan in the world market
of tourism will take some years, yet it is hoped
that growing ties with tour operators will help
attract new investments to this new sector.
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