New touristic routes to appear in Land of Fires

By Azernews

By Amina Nazarli

Tourism industry in Azerbaijan is developing day by day, turning into one of the most important sectors of the economy.

The shores of the Caspian, the Mugan, Karabakh, the Mil plains, the mountains, forests, rivers, springs, lakes, summer recreation areas, and historical monuments are headline tourist attractions of Azerbaijan. The Land of Fire enjoys nine of the world’s 11 climate zones, adding to the range of destinations on offer.

The government of Azerbaijan has made developing tourism a priority by building new tourist facilities in the regions, and restoring cultural and historical reserves.

Now, Azerbaijan is working on cooperation with neighboring countries in the tourism sector.

Spokesperson of the National Tourism Propaganda Bureau Kanan Guluzade said that Azerbaijan, despite existing competition, is sharing a vast experience in tourism with a number of countries.

Moreover, it is also planned to create joint tourism routes, with the aim of attracting tourists to the country in a profitable way.

The spokesperson informed that part of those plans will be realized in the near future.

“We are already in close cooperation with Turkey and Georgia in the field of tourism. Of course, tourism is very competitive field. But we are both rival and partner to Georgia. We hope that foreign tourists coming to Georgia will also travel along the route Lagodekhi-Gakh-Balakan-Gabala. It is also of interest to Georgia,” he told Millli.az.

To this end, Azerbaijan also plans to further liberalize the border regime to ensure a comfortable transition of tourists. “We want tourists smoothly cross the border,” he said.

In addition, Guluzade noted that the country is holding negotiations with Dagestan and Iran to create joint routes.

“For example, we want to create an opportunity for Iranians coming to Azerbaijan also visit Georgia and those visiting Dagestan come to Azerbaijan with the "Duma route" or and so on. So, first of all, we are trying to work closely with the neighboring countries in this field,” he explained.

Azerbaijan is also cooperating with Turkey. Guluzade said: “At present, the creation of a joint tourism route between Turkey and Nakhchivan is being discussed. The negotiations will probably be positive, since this is real.”

Another project is that tourists, who will come to Georgia from the East of Turkey, then will arrive to Azerbaijan and the east of the South Caucasus.

“This issue is a bit difficult. So far, discussions are under way. Covering three countries is not an easy task,” he noted.

Azerbaijan, situated on the Great Silk Road, and divided partially between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, blended the best from both cultures, forming its own unique rich culture, which attracts more and more tourists to the country.

A sharp increase in number of tourists cannot but rejoice both the economy and the inhabitants of Azerbaijan, also known as the Land of Fires.

Hotels, restaurants, recreation areas, and shopping centers filled up with foreigners and this shows the interest of tourists in a newly chosen destination.

The state pays much attention to tourism sector and “Strategic Roadmap for the Development of the Tourism Industry” approved in 2016 stipulates a number of measures for achieving great steps in this area.