Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.19 / Trend , H.Veliyev, U.Ismayilova /
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism suspended the activity of 25 hotels and hotel-type facilities which operated without licenses, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Garayev said today.
"If we intend to regulate these issues through administrative measures by the end 2009, then have to appeal to law-enforcement agencies by the end of January next year" - Garayev said.
He said that the minister intends to appeal to the Republican Procurator's Office, and the necessary measures will be taken against companies that violate the Azerbaijani legislation.
The minister said that today tourism has reached a level that it must act in compliance with legal norms. (Incomes from tourism increased by 40 percent last year, but it is expected that this figure will be considerably lower in Azerbaijan this year).
"I do not think that the number of such kind of tourist companies exceed 10-15, but we will try to reduce their number," - Garayev said.
At present, 230 travel agencies, 370 hotels and hotel-type facilities operate in the country. 35 hotels are being built at the moment.
Budget funds, 11.7 percent more than in 2008 were allocated for the development of tourism in Azerbaijan in 2009. Budget expenditures for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism grew by 3.7 times as compared to 2006.
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