Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 2 / Trend , U.Ismayilova, E.Ismayilov/
Due to the global financial crisis, tourism will not increase more than 10-12 percent this year in Azerbaijan compared to 17 percent in 2008, Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfas Garayev said on Feb. 2.
Tourism around the world increased an average of 6-7 percent in early 2008, but dropped to 2-3 percent later in the year as a result of the crisis.
Tourism growth will not top 2-3 percent in 2009, Garayev said. He added that the ministry hopes to implement measures to promote tourism this year. His office will strengthen the country's advertising campaign abroad and hold international events in Baku to insure the sector from the crisis. The number of visitors in Azerbaijan hit 1.3 million in 2007. Roughly 1 million were tourists. The ministry has achieved a departure-arrival balance in the country. Earlier the figure stood at 75 departures to every 25 visitors, but today the figure is around 55 to 45, Garayev said. Speaking of a decreased prices on tourist services, the minister said the prices are regulated by the local market. If today's prices seem too high to tourists, then they can be lowered to meet the demand, he said.
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