Baku, Azerbaijan, June 5
By Anvar Mammadov - Trend:
The first European Games will make it possible for Azerbaijan to show the possibilities of the country in all spheres to the world, Australian MP Luke Simpkins, who is on a visit to Baku, told Trend.
He said that the athletes and tourists, who will come to Azerbaijan, will be literally fascinated by the country.
"I was struck by the beauty of Azerbaijan and Baku, hospitality and tolerance of the population," he said. "I think that those who will come to European Games in Baku will also be amazed by the beauty and the development of Azerbaijan."
Azerbaijan's tourism potential is increasing as does the flow of tourists into the country. As Azerbaijan's Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev said at the Caspian Energy Forum - 2015, the country aims to increase the flow of tourists by 30-40 percent within several years. Garayev said Azerbaijan plans to be receiving some 5 million of tourists annually by 2020.
European Games will also contribute to the development of Azerbaijan's economy and the expansion of relations of the country on the international arena, according to Simpkins.
Baku 2015 is the first-ever European Games, an exciting and innovative multi-sport event for the continent that will take place on June 12-28, 2015.
There will be a total of 20 sports at Baku 2015: 16 Olympic sports and four non-Olympic sports. More than 6,000 athletes from across Europe will be representing their nations over 17 days of competition.
Baku was awarded the games by the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in December 2012.
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