Azerbaijan has been making efforts to develop its tourism sector in recent years. The country aimed to diversify its economy by promoting tourism as a key industry, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili, said in his interview with Report.
According to him, this involved investments in infrastructure, promotion of cultural heritage, and marketing campaigns, including hosting various global and international events and initiatives: “Azerbaijan Tourism Strategy 2023-2026 presents a strategic and holistic framework to lead the tourism development in the country for the next 4 years. It defines the strategic vision and guiding principles and envisions tourism development through the 9-pillar model. We encourage and stand ready to support our Member States in their actions to further develop their tourism sector, especially after global tourism was heavily affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We, at UNWTO, are ready to support our Member States in their steps to further develop sustainable and responsible tourism in their countries, including a special focus on rural tourism, tourism education, marketing, statistics, innovation, and education. Our organization has various tools to offer and we welcome the ideas and initiatives from our Members.”