Government to stimulate tourism industry
Azerbaijan located in the junction of two world civilizations, is a miraculous country with its rich natural resources, and ancient culture, history and people, whose lifestyle presents a unique and harmonious combination of the traditions and ceremonies of many different cultures and civilizations.
The country with rich ancient history has thousands of places to visit, ranging from the capital to the unique villages lost in the clouds. Warm Caspian Sea, sandy beaches and delicious cuisine attract tourists to Azerbaijani resorts day by day.
Tourism has already turn to the priority of Azerbaijan’s economy, which makes any efforts to improve this field. Azerbaijan takes drastic measures to take tourism to a new level in the country.
Experts claim that good tourism management can provide a strong impetus for the attraction of foreign tourists to any country.
Henceforth, the government will stimulate the tourism industry, through the simplification of the visa regime, providing benefits and privileges in the field of customs duties, taxes and other obligatory payments.
All these issues are reflected in the new draft law “On Tourism” discussed in the Azerbaijani Parliamentary on September 15.
According to the project, exemptions and privileges will be applied for some tourist and recreational zones.
These preferences will mainly focus on basic infrastructures in recreational areas, and all necessary expenses will be borne by the government. In addition, taxes for such facilities will be simplified.
Moreover, through the relevant funds, companies engaged in tourism infrastructure will be granted preferential loans. Goods, intended for tourism infrastructure, the list of which will be determined by the relevant executive authority, will be exempt from import duties.
In accordance with the draft law, travel agencies are required to create a reserve fund for possible risks. They should inform their customers about the place they have requested. In case of refusal of services, travel agencies should insure the risks for the payment of specified amounts in favor of consumer, or to create a reserve fund in a bank account in the same amount, or provide a bank guarantee in the same amount, or provide another form of guarantee in favor of the consumer.
Under the new project, in case of failure terms of the contract on rendering tourist services, a customer is entitled to demand compensation for material and moral damage caused to him/her in the manner prescribed by law.
Moreover, the draft law also envisages to introduce some restrictions for tourist facilities. For the tourist facilities included in the UNESCO Cultural and Natural Heritage will be under special protection regime. The same law is also applied for the facilities, which are not included in the UNESCO’s list, but which are considering unique treasure of cultural and historical heritage of Azerbaijan.
The regime provides limitation of tourist flow to such facilities. This does not concern Baku’s Icherisheher and “Gala” State HistoricalEthnographic Reserve.