Azerbaijan, Baku, June 24 / Trend U. Ismayilova /
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism closed 40 hotels in 2009 because the rendered services did not correspond to requirements, Azerbaijani Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev.
"Today about 70 hotels have 'stars'. Six hotels appealed to the ministry in this regard this year," minister said.
He said that other hotels do not apply to the ministry because they do not correspond to the requirements to receive the "stars".
Minister said that according to the current legislation, the process of getting "stars" by hotels is voluntary. But the process of getting a license is obligatory.
He said that about 25-50 hotels are built in Azerbaijan every year. About 50 hotels are under construction. Placing of tourists in Azerbaijan has increased three times. Since 2001-2002, Azerbaijan showed serious interest in tourism development. "Earlier, there were 32 travel companies, today their number has increased to 123," Garayev said.
Today, the country issued about 300 licenses in hotel business. About 20 similar appeals are considered. Previously, about 50 appeals were rejected because they did not correspond to requirements.
"The growing number of hotels in Azerbaijan, both local and world-known ones, is an indicator of the attractiveness of the Azerbaijani market," minister said.