OSCE Office releases report on role of tourism in the development of Azerbaijani economy

BAKU, 2 April 2004 - A report reviewing Azerbaijan's tourism industry - the developments experienced in the sector throughout the '90s and the challenges facing it today - has been released today by the OSCE Office in Baku, with the aim of promoting sustainable economic development.

"We hope that this report will be received positively by all those who wish to see sustained growth in the tourism industry and we believe that this comprehensive document will play an important role in ensuring that the new tourism strategy is successfully rolled out in the years ahead," said Ambassador Peter Burkhard, Head of the OSCE Office.

The report was prepared in the framework of the Azerbaijan Tourism Sector Development Project (ATSDP) and implemented by the Citizens Development Corps, under the auspices of the OSCE Office in Baku. The overall goal of ATSDP is to foster significant growth in the tourism sector in Azerbaijan, which was determined one of the priorities of the OSCE Office in the economic and environmental dimension.

The report found that the economic importance of tourism is often underestimated and calls for greater recognition of the central role that the tourism industry plays as a major instrument of national and regional development. It outlines the major success of the industry and suggests tourism may be one of the most successful sectors of Azerbaijani-owned enterprise in the non-oil sector.

Commenting on the findings of the survey, Ambassador Burkhard said: "I believe that this report will do much to increase awareness of the importance of the tourism sector to economic development and wealth creation in Azerbaijan. It is clear from the analysis that the future prospects for the sector are good and that there are major opportunities for future growth."

The report presents a set of specific recommendations and concrete actions related to improvement of various parts of the tourism business such as access to transport, nurturing of the tourism business environment, product development and innovation, tourist infrastructure, marketing and promotion.