Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec. 22 / Trend , U.Ismayilova/ Trend Agency conducted opinion poll amongst huge tourism companies. Their leaders divulged their expectations from tourism business in Azerbaijan in 2009:
Anar Rahmanov, director of Pasa Travel tourism company
Answer: Prices for vouchers will drop about by 20% in 2009 because of the world financial crisis. The financial crisis will influence on business of representations of foreign companies in Azerbaijan, whilst it will not affect local tourism companies. At present price cut is being observed: if earlier one-week voucher cost $700, whilst now its price makes up $500.
Nargiz Babayeva, director of AB Travel tourism company
Answer: I think, the Azerbaijani tourism field will not undergo significant changes in 2009. This field will be at the current lower level in 2009, as well. At present the field is experiencing peak as always on the eve of the New Year, whilst fall will occur at the market after holidays and will last by summer. The market will undergo transformations in the case of fluctuation of prices for air tickets, whilst currently changes are not expected.
Ruslan Rahimov, director of VIP Travel tourism company
Answer: Number of tourists will rise by 5%-10% at the Azerbaijani market in 2009, as well as prices for vouchers will rise by 10%, which is connected to development of the market, but not the world financial crisis. Tourism is directly connected to rest, which is necessary for good working activity. Therefore, people usually use it.
Azad Aliyev, director of Euroturizm tourism company
Answer: The world financial crisis will affect tourism and all other fields in 2009. At present, demand at the market has dropped and I think, it will fall by 5%-10% more in 2009. Prices, perhaps, may drop, whilst not tourism companies regulate this process, but hotels, restaurants and air companies. Therefore, it is difficult to forecast a situation.
About 800 tourism companies have been registered in Azerbaijan, whilst only 30 of them are active.
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