Mountain tourism in Azerbaijan has entered an active phase of development, Vice Minister of Tourism and Sports of Kazakhstan Yerzhan Yerkinbayev said at the Eurasian Mountain Tourism Forum in Shahdag, Report informs.
"While we are still in discussions, Azerbaijan has already entered an active phase of development and has begun to take concrete steps," he emphasized.
He noted that it is difficult to implement such projects solely at the expense of the state budget, and it is necessary to properly plan the development strategy.
Yerkinbayev shared his experience in reconstructing the Shymbulak ski resort, noting that the implementation of this project began in 2007 as part of preparations for the Asian Games and was successfully completed despite financial difficulties.
He added that the private company that owned the ski resort decided to take loans for the construction of new cable cars and an artificial snowmaking system.
"Since the state cannot fully finance these projects, alternative solutions were found. Those planning such projects should definitely take this factor into account," the vice minister added.