Azerbaijan, Baku, March 25 / Trend , U.Ismayilova/
The global financial crisis has slightly affected the tourism in Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev said at the technical seminar on the theme influence of the economic crisis on the tourism in Europe.
"Global crisis is deepening and reducing the number of tourists," minister said.
In 2008, the tourism in Azerbaijan increased by 40 percent.
"The flow of tourists will reduce by ten percent this year. However, the number of tourists to Baku will increase, as Baku was announced the capital of culture in 2009 and will host international conferences," Garayev added.
So, Azerbaijan will develop domestic tourism, bilateral shares, business tourism and other spheres.
The 49th meeting of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) will also take place in Baku. This decision was made at the previous meeting of WTO participating countries in Czech on May-15-16, 2008.
Deputy Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Taleb Rifai said that this is the first meeting for the European Commission of the UN world tourism organization is taking place in Azerbaijan
"Azerbaijan is a very important player in the world of tourism, and particularly within our organization. During our two day visit to this country we will discuss the state of tourism in the terms of economic situation. The fact that this meeting is taking place in Azerbaijan is very significant. Azerbaijan has a long period success history and we are very interested in cooperation with such a success history," Rifai said.
All UNWTO participating countries attend the meeting.
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