Azerbaijan Tourism Board Underpins Commitment to Indian Tourists with a three-city Roadshow

IN ORDER to build valuable connections between the countries, Azerbaijan Tourism Board is holding a three-city roadshow in India. Starting from Delhi and followed by Bangalore and Mumbai, the event will bring together key travel industry leaders. 

Situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Azerbaijan has the richest climate zones, offering travellers an affordable European experience all year round. Baku, the capital and the largest city of Azerbaijan is a medieval town with narrow streets and bazaars combined with modern architecture. At its heart, lies the UNESCO listed İçəri Şəhər (Old City) surrounded by 12th-century defensive walls, Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' palace encouraging tourists to 'Take another look' and discover Azerbaijan's hidden gems. Whether travelling as a group or as a solo traveller, its life and energy are infectious. With bazaars and jazz clubs, it’s also an ideal destination for family holidays, honeymoon travel and destination weddings.

Speaking at the event Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board mentioned that with a direct flight from Delhi and a simplified electronic visa procedure for Indian passport holders, tourism from India to Azerbaijan increased by 80% in 2019. H.E. Ashraf Shikhaliyev further added that the new initiatives are expected to improve Azerbaijan’s ranking among countries with a high tourism contribution towards national GDP, according to the World Travel and Tourism Council 2018 Impact Report. It is forecast to be at 6% per annum over the course of the next 10 years ranking it amongst the world’s top 20 high potential countries.

“Azerbaijan Airlines route network is constantly analysing demand from tourists and looking at launching direct flights to these destinations. The national air carrier AZAL is known for its high level of service and safety and in the coming years, we are working towards expanding and adding flights to more destinations in the Asian region,” said Nazim Samadov, Deputy Director Executive of Azerbaijan Airlines / Buta Airways Director.

The unique platform gave Indian trade partners and travel agents an opportunity to learn about the diverse experiences that Azerbaijan has to offer. Similar setups took place in Mumbai and Bangalore, with delegates interacting with over 900 Indian retail partners including tour operators, travel agents, cruise specialists, wedding planners and MICE representatives. The event follows the launch of ATB’s marketing campaign ‘Take another look’ which aims to double current inbound tourism by 2023.

“These roadshows underpin our commitment to India and its residents. The Azerbaijani people are excited to share their culture, cuisine and country with visitors from India. We encourage everyone to indulge their palate with unique flavours and expect a plethora of gourmet vegetarian options that will delight food connoisseurs. We look forward to enhancing our tourism proposition in the industry and becoming a leading destination brand in the world, as we continue to provide tourists with unique, authentic experiences that will leave them with lasting memories for a lifetime. Tourism is the cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s diversified economic growth and the recent investments in tourism and country promotion are a testimony to the fact that Azerbaijan is poised to become a premium MICE destination with a well-developed corporate infrastructure equipped to host large-scale business meetings and conferences,” commented Florian Sengstschmid, CEO, Azerbaijan Tourism Board.

“Azerbaijan is the ideal destination for numerous reasons. With excellent connectivity and a wide variety of experiences, Baku is an affluent city with modern infrastructure. It is still a relatively unexplored destination, which is a key selling point for Indian tourists who want a unique experience. We are seeing a surge in business events and wedding travel – Azerbaijan provides the perfect set up for weddings with world-class hotels and gorgeous indoor and outdoor locations. With over 15 million weddings each year, the Indian wedding, honeymoon and milestone celebrations market offers tremendous potential,” said H.E. Ashraf Shikhaliyev, Ambassador, the Republic of Azerbaijan to India.