By a long-shot: Tourism to give Azerbaijan more profit than oil?

If Azerbaijan ensures the high-level development of the tourism sector, it can get profit worth 20 - 30 billion manat per year from this sphere, president of the Azerbaijani Advertisers’ Union Hajiami Atakishiyev said.

He said the figure may reach this level in reality in 2030 - 2040, respectively.

Tourism can give Azerbaijan still more profit than oil, Atakishiyev said. Given that Azerbaijan’s energy reserves will reduce in the future, the development of this sphere is very important.

After Azerbaijan raises the level of tourism, it may well be engaged in its propaganda, he said. Tourists coming to the country through advertising travel services can not fully benefit from them.

"Let’s suppose that we advertised attractions of Azerbaijan, and tourists began to arrive. But the prices in hotels are very high and tourism services are not enough. Today, big fragmentation is observed in Azerbaijan in terms of organization of tourist services. Tourism organized a little in Gabala, Guba and Nabran, where private tourism companies operate. Therefore, the state must develop an appropriate conceptual plan. Tourists are interested in the acquisition of gifts and souvenirs in the country they visited. A lot of work should be done in this sphere," Atakishiyev said.

Roughly 21 legal entities and individuals obtained licenses for the provision of hotel services in 2010. Currently 295 hotels and hotel-type facilities operate in the country based on the license of the Ministry. Last year 16 hotels and hotel-type facilities passed the state classification, and the number of such facilities reached 77.


/Trend/