(MENAFN- AzerNews)
Laman Ismayilova read more Chairman of the State Tourism Agency (STA) Fuad Naghiyev has
addressed the 19th Azerbaijan International Tourism and travel Fair
- AITF 2023.
In his speech, he emphasized that the State Tourism Agency
focuses on turning the Karabakh region into a tourist destination, Azernews reports.
"Design works are being carried out in Tugh village, Hadrut
settlement, around Shahbulag fortress in Aghdam in order to create
the primary tourism infrastructure. The construction of a tourism
complex around the Suqovushan reservoir is underway. We believe
that tourism will be one of the leading areas to ensure the
livelihood of our citizens", he added.
In his speech, the chairman of the State Tourism Agency also
touched upon the development of foreign and domestic tourism.
"We support the active and efficient activity of foreign
tourists to our country. Currently, our main goal is to restore the
pre-pandemic numbers and ensure more flexible activity than before.
Around 1.6 million citizens of foreign countries visited Azerbaijan
last year. That's 50 percent of pre-pandemic numbers. In 2026, we
aim to increase the number of foreign tourists to four million, and
the number of domestic tourists to six million.
He also stressed the importance of AITF 2023 in the development
of networking and strengthening tourism ties.
"The income from tourism in the GDP is expected to increase by
1.5 times. At the same time, we predict a 20 percent increase in
the tourism sector. The main objective is to promote Azerbaijan as
a sustainable, quality tourism destination. In this direction,
large-scale works are being carried out by the Azerbaijan Tourism
Board," said Fuad Naghiyev.
The AITF 2023 draws attention to the tourism industry after a
three-year hiatus caused by the pandemic.
Traditionally, the fair gathers representatives of the tourism
industry, including national and regional tourism organizations and
government agencies from different countries.
The Azerbaijan International Tourism and Travel Fair serves as a
major platform, which makes it possible to establish new contacts,
significantly expand the sales geography, learn about the latest
innovations and trends in the industry, as well as find new
partners and customers.
Apart from that, the travel fair highlights the importance of
Azerbaijan as an attractive travel destination and demonstrates the
hospitality of the Azerbaijani people to foreign participants and
visitors.
Outbound tourism, domestic tourism, inbound tourism are on the
agenda of AITF 2023.
The travel fair highlights medical and health tourism, cruises,
airlines, national and regional tourism departments, ministries,
travel agencies and tour operators, etc.
This year, Bulgaria, a traditional participant of the
exhibition, acts as the AITF 2023 General Sponsor, while Uzbekistan
is a partner country.
The 19th Azerbaijan International Tourism and Travel Fair is
organized by Caspian Event Organisers with the support of the Small
and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), Azerbaijan State
Tourism Agency and Azerbaijan Tourism Board.