Azerbaijan closes illegal tourism companies

Azerbaijan, Baku, March 15 / Trend, U.Ismayilova /
A number of tourism companies operating without a special license to render tourism services were found in Baku, Azerbaijani Travel Agencies Association (AZTA) head Nahid Bagirov said.
According to the Azerbaijani Culture and Tourism Ministry, 207 tourism companies officially operate in the country.

"As a result of monitoring, the association submitted recommendations to the ministry and these companies were closed," Bagirov said.
The monitoring is continuing.

Bagirov said earlier that the ATAA focuses on monitoring service quality.

Tourism companies operating in the regions will also be monitored after the capital.

Improving the quality of tourism services is a priority of the Year of Tourism, Bagirov said.
The ATAA was created with the assistance of the ministry in January 2009. Its board members include the CEOs of Improtex Travel, Caspian Travel, Pasha Travel, Silkway Travel, and Euroturizm. Over 51 travel agencies are members of the association.

The association protects the interests of travel agencies and develops bills, recommendations and regulations, while assisting in the establishment of national travel companies. The ATAA tries to develop and introduce congressional tourism and to train management and service specialists.