Doing Business in Azerbaijan 2009 - Azerbaijan Export ...

110 DOING BUSINESS IN AZERBAIJAN
Tourism & Hotel Management
Azerbaijan is aiming at promoting itself as a new tourist destination
as opposed to traditional “tourist” countries. It just recently reentered
the maps of global tour operators.
Though a comparatively new this business in Azerbaijan proved to
be particularly successful. This is mainly due to substantial natural
potential of Azerbaijan in respect of tourism development. The
natural attractions include: rare climatic and terrain diversity,
mountains and warm sea, medicinal hot springs, mud volcanoes
and natural gas flames areas.
The history of Azerbaijan and the monuments of few civilizations
and religions add up to the above. The oldest Early Christian
church, the only operating Fire-worshippers Temple in the world,
medieval castles scattered all over the country, Old City of Baku
and Maiden Tower are located here. Baku has the best developed
infrastructure in the region with modern hotels, resorts, international
and traditional cuisine, convenient air links to Europe and
Asia etc.
The positive impact on the development of tourism in Azerbaijan
was made by the years of political stability and economic development
in the last decade. The sector received a further stimulus
after establishment of the Ministry with the portfolio which includes
tourism. Consistently grows the number of businesses
engaged in tourism industry in Azerbaijan.
Measures by the government play key role in sector’s development:
After implementation of steps stipulated in the Decree “On Tourism”
(June 4, 1999) the number of inward tourists increased
significantly.