Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 25 / Trend U.Ismayilova /
The Azerbaijani Tourism Association regards the holding of promotion of Azerbaijan's tourist potential in the domestic market and foreign market as its priority in 2011.
"Active promotion of tourism potential will be conducted, particularly as a part of the announcement of '2011 the Year of Tourism' by the Azerbaijani president," association head Nahid Bagirov said.
He said the association has developed an action plan, under which will be organized information tours, primarily for the local population, and in the future for representatives of foreign countries that are interested in tourism cooperation with Azerbaijan.
Regarding the info-tours inside the country, Bagirov said that tours will be held for representatives of some regions to other regions. The main purpose is to increase awareness about the history and culture of the country for its promotion for tourists from abroad in the future.
"We believe that info-tours will be additional impetus to the tourist inflow into the country," Bagirov said.
One of the important measures to increase the inflow of tourists, he said, is to open charter flights to various countries. In 2011, the association intends to strengthen work in this direction.
"Unfortunately, the aircraft fleet of Azerbaijan's state airline is not so rich, and so we have to contact the airlines of those countries with which we intend to open charter flights," Bagirov said.
According to him, the inflow of tourists to Azerbaijan may double or triple due to direct-air links.
In 2011, the association plans to establish offices in those countries, from where mainly tourists come to Azerbaijan.
"The assassination will be presented by foreign companies, which will become the coordinator for the growth of sales of tour packages to Azerbaijan," Bagirov said.
Bagirov said the inflow of tourists into the country will increase by 20 percent in 2011 by implementing measures to actively develop tourism in Azerbaijan.