The number of tourists visiting Azerbaijan increased by 14% in 2011, compared to 2010, according to figures from the minister for culture and tourism.
Abulfas Garayev told the opening of the International Travel and Tourism Fair (AITF) that over two million (2,134,000) foreigners visited Azerbaijan last year.
The minister said the increase was associated with 2011 being declared the Year of Tourism in Azerbaijan.
"As many as 45 new hotels and residential areas were built and commissioned in Azerbaijan. The achievements that our country made last year are continuing this year too. Baku will host Eurovision in a month's time," the minister said.
This year Bulgaria as well as Turkey has become a special partner of AITF, Garayev noted.
"This year, the fair for the first time includes a World Tourism Organization stand. If in 2002, the fair involved 23 companies from seven countries, this year it involves 201 companies from 32 countries. This is a fair that jumpstarts development of the region," Garayev stressed.
Garayev told journalists that there would be no price hikes during Eurovision.
He said that an agreement on prices had been reached with all hotels: "No changes are planned to current prices for hotel services."
Competition led to a 20% fall in hotel prices last year, Garayev claimed.
"Every year, 40-50 hotels are built in the country. I think the market itself will regulate prices."
Special tours will be laid on during Eurovision, the minister said.
Baku's museums will be open until 20.00 and until midnight on the days of the competition itself.
An agreement on cooperation in tourism between Azerbaijan and San Marino was signed at the fair.
The deal was inked by Abulfas Garayev and Fabio Berardi, San Marino's minister for tourism, sport and economic planning.
"San Marino is a small, distinctive state. From this point of view, there are good prospects for the development of cooperation in tourism between our states," Garayev said.
Berardi said that San Marino would be delighted to welcome tourists from Azerbaijan.
Bütün xəbərlər Facebook səhifəmizdə
USD
EUR
GBP
RUB