The Old Town of Baku is crammed with historical buildings and has been classified a UNESCO heritage site
Developing infrasructure
Helping this ambition is the boost to airline access, a growing number of global hotel brands and increased promotional efforts — 2011 is the ‘Year of Tourism’ in Azerbaijam.
“We have also initiated a partnership programme where we shall assist Azerbaijan-based operators to establish working relationships with DMCs in the GCC to offer more options for travellers to the country” says HE Garayev.
The Ministry is also keen to support fam trips for the trade to give travel agents a first-hand experience of Azerbaijan. The first one will take place in September followed by a second in early January. Individual trips will also be supported.
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Keen to play a greater role, Flydubai has already seen a 40% rise in traffic between Baku and Dubai during the past year from May 2010 to May 2011, according to CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith: “The country is slowly developing its tourism infrastructure, and Baku is a cosmopolitan city that already caters easily to all segments — including the fast-developing short-stay and weekend sector.
Azerbaijan could soon be pitched as a great ski break option too adds Al Ghaith. "With the construction of a new ski resort, the country will soon appeal to a new group of tourists."
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