Azerbaijan, Baku, June 12 /Trend I.Isabalayeva/
The number of guests who visited Azerbaijan during the Eurovision - 2012 song contest, including contestants and delegation, is in the range of 6000 to 7000 people. In addition 103,000 people had crossed the border of Azerbaijan during the 15 days, the Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev said on Tuesday.
He noted that usually no more than 30,000 to 40,000 people arrive in Azerbaijan for 15 days. The number of people, who came before and during the competition, has exceeded 50,000.
"The number of travellers in Azerbaijan at that time staying at hotels, private apartments, with relatives, friends and acquaintances, was more than 50,000. The number of people who came to Azerbaijan to experience the joy of competition, to feel the festive mood, talk and share their feelings with others has increased. I am sure that the great success of Eurovision will give great impetus to the inflow of tourists to Azerbaijan," Garayev said.
"Most tourists came from the neighbouring states of Georgia, Iran, Turkey and Central Asia, as well as from the countries from which it is easier to get into our country which had opened direct flights," he said.
The Minister also noted that even a special group from the United States arrived in Azerbaijan in the days of Eurovision in Azerbaijan.
It should be reminded that the 57th Eurovision Song Contest Eurovision was held in Baku in May.