Azerbaijan’s tourism target: More tourists, more revenues

Modern tourism is closely linked to economic development and embodies increasing number of new destinations. These dynamics have already made tourism one of key drivers for social and economic progress.

Experts agree that today, the business volume of tourism equals or even surpasses oil exports, food products or automobiles, becoming one of the major players in international commerce and one of the main income sources for many developing countries.

Azerbaijan, a world-famous country for its rich oil and gas resources, could turn its hydrocarbons into a powerful tool for achieving progress in the country. Over the past ten years, Azerbaijan has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

However, the decline in the oil prices over the past two years in fact reduced the income of oil producing countries significantly. Given new economic realities, Azerbaijan accelerated its diversification policy, and took additional measures in a bid to give fresh impetus to the development of its non-oil sector, where tourism occupies one of the largest places.

To take tourism to a new level in Azerbaijan, President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree on additional measures for developing tourism in the country. Under the decree, the state will finance certain activities related to the development of tourism in the country.

In accordance with the order, which targets the tourism development in Azerbaijan and expanding opportunities in the field of modern information and communication technologies, the Presidential Reserve Fund will render a financial support to the Culture and Tourism Ministry for this end.

The Ministry will receive 800,000 manats ($480,000) from the Fund, while 400,000 manats ($240,000) will be directed to creation of Tourism Registry, and 400,000 manats to holding of annual Shopping Festival in Baku.

The Taxes Ministry, the State Customs Committee, the Culture and Tourism Ministry were tasked to jointly prepare proposals on provision of benefits, including tax benefits in retail sales during shopping festivals.

In order to attract tourists to Azerbaijan, the ministries of Economy, Finance and Culture and Tourism, the Civil Aviation Administration and Azerbaijan Railways CJSC have been instructed to take measures to organize new advantageous international routes.

Meanwhile, the Culture and Tourism Ministry will prepare a general development plan for KhiziKhachmaz, Guba and Gusar tourism and recreational areas.

The Economy Ministry and the State Committee on Property Issues should prepare proposals for developing beach tourism with more effective use of Azerbaijan’s Caspian Sea coast.

In addition, in order to perform the tasks arising from the “Main directions of the strategic roadmap of the national economy and the main sectors of the economy,” Council for Tourism of Azerbaijan will be established in the country.

The main goal of the Council is to form modern tourism industry in the country that meets high economic, social and environmental requirements and further increase its share in the economy of the country, and carrying out coordinated policy in this sphere.

In order to promote the tourist potential of the country, present the national tourism products on the world tourism market, organize its sale, increase tourist flow to Azerbaijan, the Cabinet should prepare and submit proposals for the appointment of tourism representatives in diplomatic missions of Azerbaijan in priority countries.

The country will also speed up the passage of foreigners and stateless persons through the border checkpoints with Russia, Turkey, Iran and Georgia.

Jointly with the Foreign Ministry, State Customs Committee and the State Border Service, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism should work out relevant proposals on improving the law and present them to Azerbaijan’s president within three months.

The relevant agencies should ensure the creation of the information website and tourism registry containing information about the tourism facilities, products and industrial entities, as well as statistical data and results of the monitoring of tourism reserves, tourism activities and industry.

The number of tourists to the Land of Fire has increased by 30 times this May compared to last year, according to the Culture and Tourism Ministry.

In January to June of 2016 a total of 972,000 tourists came to the country, with a large proportion falling to citizens from Russia, Iran, Turkey and Arab countries.