Azerbaijan must turn to online-tourism

/By AzerNews - Nigar Orujova/

Azerbaijan, a country with developing internet network, should switch to online tourism.

The idea came from Andrew Payner, the senior vice president at the Russian travel-booking site Ostrovok.ru, engaged in the provision of online services in the field of tourism.

“Today, Azerbaijani residents are actively using the Internet, so travel companies in the country must start providing online services in this area. It will not be difficult, since most of travel agencies in Azerbaijan have their own websites,” he told Trend.

Currently, tourism is the largest industry in the world,Payner said stressing that online tourism is one of the most successfully developing sectors of the industry.

"Twenty years ago, people needed to contact travel agency to reserve a hotel room, purchase a ticket or buy other services. Now a large number of tourist services are sold through the Internet," he said.

Payner reminded that over 70 percent of Azerbaijan population is already online.

"The UK offers 50 percent of all tourism services via the Internet, while Azerbaijan online tourism services are limited to booking hotel rooms, and these services are provided by local sites," he noted.

"The situation is unacceptable for the region, especially since its has such great tourism potential," Payner insisted.

"Conduction of various tourist exhibitions, conferences and forums should assist travel agencies in Azerbaijan in establishing useful contacts with foreign companies providing online services in view of developing its online tourism sphere," he added.

He stressed that Azerbaijan is attracting more tourists from Europe and other regions.

To further develop Azerbaijan tourism sector Payner explained that it is necessary to simplify tourists' visa regime and solve the issue of high priced tickets.

The Land of Fire with its incredible beauty and captivating history is turning into a regional tourist hub. The number of tourists who visited Azerbaijan in 2014 reached 2.3 million. Moreover, the country expects to increase its flow of tourists up to 5 million in the near future. Bearing in mind, that every tourist arriving in Azerbaijan spends a minimum of $700, the sector is promising.