Azerbaijan, Baku, March 14 / Trend U. Ismayilova /
The most serious problem facing the Azerbaijani Institute of Tourism today is the search for skilled employees and teachers, Rector Jafar Jafarov said.
"This moment is the hardest for the institute," he said.
He added that today the institute has found successful candidates, but staff training and tourism education must improve.
"Each day, we raise our standards to meet the tourism industry's needs," Jafarov said.
He stressed that the institute intends to implement several projects to improve the trainings, as well as to enhance the potential of students as part of the Year of Tourism.
The institute also plans to start teaching master's and doctoral tourism programs, the rector said.
Having qualified personnel is a key factor for developing the tourism market, he said.
"The tourism industry needs educated people who understand current problems," he stressed.
The institute was established under the Culture and Tourism Ministry on Feb. 13, 2006.