Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.7 / Trend, U.Ismayilova /
A system of licensing of professional tour guides will be introduced in Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani Travel Agencies Association chairman Nahid Bagirov said.
"The Association has already developed proposals to introduce licensing of this type of travel services and in the short period will appeal to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism," Bagirov said.
According to him, at present, a large number of guides - who need support for this type of service, operate in the country.
"Travel Agencies Association intends to contribute to the creation of the union of tour guides, who will also operate under the Association," Bagirov said.
The Azerbaijani Travel Agencies Association was created with the assistance of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture in January 2009. The board members include Improtex Travel, Caspian Travel, Pasha Travel, Silkway Travel, Euroturizm CEOs. Over 51 travel agencies are members of the association.
The association protects the interests of travel agencies, develops bills, recommendations and regulations, assists in establishing national travel companies. It develops plans to conduct trainings and seminars for market participants, creates conditions for advertising of Azerbaijani tourism at annual international exhibitions; develops domestic tourism and presents tourism products at the world market.
The association also tries to develop and introduce congressional tourism, help to train specialists in the management and services etc.
At present Azerbaijan has over 200 licensed tourism companies.