Ilham Aliyev visited the 13th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Exhibition AITF-2014

04 April 2014, 11:00
Ilham Aliyev visited the 13th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Exhibition AITF-2014

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva familiarized themselves in the Baku Expo Centre with the 13th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Exhibition AITF-2014 and the 8th Caucasian international exhibition of equipment and accessories for hotels, restaurants and supermarkets HOREX Caucasus 2014.

Today Azerbaijan is the focus of the world with its dynamic economic and social development. The favourable geographical location, climate, rich flora and fauna, ancient history and culture play an important role in the recognition of our country around the world also as a tourist destination. Great state care about this area and the creation of a modern tourism infrastructure in regions along with Baku have a positive impact on the annual growth in the number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan. As a result of attention and concern for the development of the tourism sector in Azerbaijan, the use of world-class tourist brands in the country has become widespread. This is the reason for the construction and opening of five-star hotels in Baku and the regions. All this serves to create and develop a tourism infrastructure in the country.

A number of important activities carried out in recent years to demonstrate the tourism potential of Azerbaijan also increased the interest in this area. A special role in this belongs to international exhibitions of tourism and travel, as well as equipment and accessories for hotels, restaurants and supermarkets held in Baku every year. The Azerbaijan International Tourism and Travel Exhibition is considered the largest specialized event of the tourism industry in the South Caucasus region. This exhibition, the interest in which is growing every year, enjoys great authority. The number of national stands at the current exhibition in comparison with previous years has increased significantly. Along with Azerbaijan, the exhibition is also attended by 24 national and regional groups from Argentina, Bulgaria, Hungary, Greece, Dominican Republic, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Morocco, Thailand, Turkey, France, Montenegro, the Czech Republic and other countries. In addition, this year's exhibition is attended by international experts in the tourism industry from Lithuania, Croatia, Russia and Montenegro, as well as delegations from Stavropol Territory of Russia and other countries. The exhibition, which demonstrates a wide range of travel services, presents travel agencies and tour operators, national groups, international representative offices, road, air and maritime transport companies, representatives of the hospitality business from different countries, travel and trade associations, as well as organizers of active and extreme tours.

Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev noted that this year also has seen a significant growth in the number of participants in the exhibition. In 2002, the exhibition was attended by 14 countries, and today their number has reached 38. In general, 351 companies and organizations from these countries present their services at the exhibition. 60 per cent of the participants in the exhibition are foreign and 40 per cent - local companies. The interest in this exhibition, which is of great importance for the development of the tourism industry in our country, shows that important infrastructure projects in the field of tourism implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years are perceived in the world of tourism with great appreciation and interest. These activities also contribute to a significant increase in the number of tourists visiting the country.

The national pavilions of regions of Azerbaijan gave the exhibition even greater interest and flavour. The regional tourism exhibition demonstrates the tourism potential of different regions of Azerbaijan. Different types of tourism, including rural and ecological tourism, ski and sea resorts are represented here.

President Ilham Aliyev and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva familiarized themselves with the pavilions of the exhibition.

During familiarization with the Lithuanian stand, it was noted that this country exhibits different areas of tourism, including its services in sanatoria and health clinics. Lithuania, which has repeatedly participated in the exhibition, is represented by 18 companies this time.

President Ilham Aliyev also visited the stand of Montenegro. The country participates in the exhibition for the second time. After last year's exhibition, direct charter flights were carried out from Azerbaijan to Montenegro in the summer season. Charter flights will be resumed in the current tourist season.

Indonesia is one of the permanent participants in the exhibition. The stand of this country presents tourism opportunities and tourist destinations of Indonesia.

The head of state also looked at the stand of Russia's Stavropol Territory. This territory, which is represented at the exhibition by numerous companies, mainly demonstrates its services in the field of medical tourism. In general, the exhibition presents services of tourist and health facilities located in Mineralniye Vody, Pyatigorsk, Yessentuki and Kislovodsk.

The exhibition is also attended by a sanatorium located in Shamakhi, which provides treatment with Naftalan oil. Naftalan oil is known worldwide. Oil produced from sources in Naftalan has unique properties and related services are offered in various regions of our country today.

President Ilham Aliyev toured the 8th Caucasian international exhibition of equipment and accessories for hotels, restaurants and supermarkets HOREX Caucasus 2014. Leading companies of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Germany, Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Russia, Switzerland and Turkey demonstrate their products here. The presence of several leading companies among permanent participants in the exhibition testifies to its international reputation.

The Dominican Republic is participating in this exhibition for the first time. The stand of this country mainly presents exotic types of tourism.

The head of state also inspected the stands of Morocco and Greece. Both countries are participating in the exhibition for the second time. The Moroccan pavilion presents the resort areas of the country and cultural and excursion tourism, while the stands of a number of Greek companies present mostly summer tourism, in particular, excursions and boat trips.

Slovenia is represented by 11 companies at the exhibition.

Turkey, like in previous exhibitions, is participating in this exhibition with a large team - 30 travel companies. The stand of this country demonstrates all directions, including alternative tourism. The various stands of companies representing Turkey reflect the country's tourist routes and extensive information on the established infrastructure.

Bulgaria also shows a great interest in this exhibition. This country presents guests with its tourism potential at a high level.

It was noted that AITF-2014, which fully justifies the motto "The whole world is one exhibition", demonstrates more than 80 tourist routes. At the same time, the exhibition presents interesting trends and innovations of the tourist market. Among the newcomers at the exhibition are travel companies from Sri Lanka, Kenya and South Africa.

It was stressed that at the AITF-2014 exhibition the number of participants representing medical tourism has increased significantly.

Then the presentation of the company City Sightseeing Baku was held.

This company was established with the organizational support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on the basis of an agreement concluded with the company City Sightseeing Worldwide, which is known as a global brand and is functioning in more than 100 cities in 33 countries. Last year City Sightseeing Baku provided excursions services to more than 10 million people with over a thousand buses. The company's activity is important for the general promotion of cultural heritage and tourism potential of Baku. Buses for tourists have all conditions. Special equipment available in them allows tourists to get information about the attractions and historical places of the capital.

President Ilham Aliyev wished success to the exhibition.

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