Tuesday, February 27, 2024
The Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) is once again participating in the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), a key travel exhibition in New Delhi, India, from February 22nd to 24th, 2024.
SATTE is an important platform for industry professionals to connect and stay updated on travel trends. Azerbaijan is collaborating with 19 industry partners, showcasing diverse travel experiences from urban and wellness retreats to skiing adventures in the Caucasus Mountains, and offering traditional Azerbaijani cuisine. Elchin Huseynli, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to India, visited the stand, highlighting the strong bilateral relations between the two countries.
A networking dinner has been arranged to foster collaboration among Indian tourism professionals, media representatives, and their Azerbaijani counterparts. The event was attended by 49 travel industry experts, including representatives from IndiGo, and 11 media personnel.
Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, participated in a panel discussion organized by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) on prevailing tourism trends. He discussed Azerbaijan’s visionary approach to tourism, aiming not only to boost visitor arrivals but also to diversify tourism offerings and target markets sustainably.
This strategy includes implementing sustainable initiatives to broaden tourism experiences and products, catering to existing and emerging source markets while ensuring growth aligns with local interests.The approach includes customizing experiences and products to appeal to new markets, while also enhancing the familiarity of Azerbaijan among existing ones.
“It is great to be back to SATTE to showcase Azerbaijan’s tourism potential to such a diverse audience. In 2023, Azerbaijan witnessed a significant recovery in international tourist arrivals, welcoming 2,086,443 visitors. This represents a recovery trajectory towards our pre-Covid levels, where we had recorded 3,167,869 international tourists in 2019. Despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic, our efforts in revitalizing the tourism sector have been fruitful, achieving approximately 70% of our pre-pandemic tourist arrival numbers,” said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. “We anticipate a continued rise in arrival numbers and recognize the importance of participation in exhibitions like SATTE, crucial for fostering collaborations and advancing tourism development.”
In January 2024, the number of Indian travelers to Azerbaijan surged significantly to 10,135, compared to 4,098 in January 2023. This increase highlights Azerbaijan’s growing popularity as a preferred destination among Indian tourists. Several factors contribute to this trend, including easy access through convenient flight options, streamlined e-visa procedures, and the country’s reputation as a vibrant cultural and business hub in the region. E-visas, obtainable within three days via evisa.gov.az, and non-stop flights allow travelers to reach the heart of the Caucasus region in about four hours. Direct flights from Delhi, operated by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and IndiGo, offer added convenience, with AZAL also providing direct flights to Mumbai twice weekly. IndiGo plans to increase its services from Delhi. Azerbaijan’s appeal lies in its unique blend of familiar cultural landmarks and new experiences, attracting a growing number of tourists.
Azerbaijan, with a rich history spanning 5,000 years, is a secure and family-friendly destination. Influenced by travelers along the Great Silk Road, the country’s diverse culture has thrived over the ages. A prime example of this heritage is Ateshgah, the Fire Temple adorned with Sanskrit inscriptions and flames, captivating visitors with its historical significance.Azerbaijan boasts diverse tourism opportunities, including UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Old City of Baku, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, the Sheki Historic Centre, and newly recognized attractions such as Khinalig village and ‘Köç Yolu’. Baku offers a vibrant urban experience with museums and trendy bars, while the regions provide natural wonders for hiking and skiing in the Caucasus Mountains. Azerbaijan is well-prepared to host events and welcome visitors from around the world, boasting top-notch infrastructure such as the Skytrax 5-star rated Baku International Airport, chain hotels, iconic Flame Towers, and exceptional facilities like the Baku Congress Centre and Heydar Aliyev Centre.
There are no upcoming events at this time
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