Azerbaijan, Baku, Jan. 31 /Trend U.Ismayilova/
The Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism plans to develop proposals to increase the number of three-and four-star hotels within the development of the tourism industry in the country, the head of the ministry's tourism department Aydin Ismiyev said.
"At present, business and congress tourism are mainly developed in Baku. The participants use only five-star hotels," Ismiyev said.
He said that there was a shortage of places in tour facilities in Azerbaijan last summer, in particular, in regions of the country. At present, roughly 30-35 hotels will be built in the country.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism in 2010 issued 38 licenses to provide travel services to businesses and individuals. Currently there are 207 licensed tourism companies in the country.
During 2010, licenses were issued to 21 legal and physical persons for providing hotel services. Currently there are 295 hotels and hotel-type facilities based on a license of the Ministry. Last year 16 hotels and hotel-type facilities passed the state classification, and the number of such facilities reached 77.