Baku, Azerbaijan – Azerbaijan is set to participate in ITB Berlin, the world’s leading travel trade show, which will take place from March 7 to 9, 2023. Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) will have a dedicated national stand at ITB Berlin, featuring a myriads of travel experiences in Azerbaijan – from hiking to the lush nature to wellness experiences at best resorts, and emerging award winning wine experiences to delicious traditional cuisine. The national stand will also offer visitors a chance to meet with representatives of the ATB and industry partners, to learn more about the destination and to explore potential collaboration opportunities.
“We are thrilled to participate in ITB Berlin and to have the opportunity to promote Azerbaijan’s tourism potential to such a diverse and influential audience. In 2022, Azerbaijan saw an active recovery in all main source markets as the number of arrivals increased significantly compared to previous year. In 2022, Azerbaijan welcomed 1,602,600 international visitors which is 103% more in comparison to the same period of 2021,” said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. “We look forward to meeting with tour operators, travel agents, media representatives, and other key stakeholders to discuss potential partnerships and to showcase our latest offerings.”
Azerbaijan has been investing heavily in its tourism industry in recent years, with the goal of becoming a leading travel destination in the region. The needs of today’s travellers are met by the availability of a wide range of modern amenities, such as world-class hotels, restaurants, and shopping centres. The country boasts a wealth of attractions, including the UNESCO-listed Old City of Baku, the Caucasus Mountains, the Caspian Sea, and the ancient Silk Road. The focus on the development of local wine industry established Azerbaijan as one of the thriving viticultural centres in the region. To celebrate its contribution to promoting viticulture, winemaking, and wine tourism, ATB has been granted with a number of prizes by the Council of Europe and the European Institute of Cultural Routes.
Sustainable tourism experiences have been a big part of ATB’s strategy in a way to suit the expectations of modern travellers, as well as focusing on preservation and reinforcement of the existing resources of Azerbaijan. One of such projects is Slow Food Travel (SFT), which ATB implements for honouring and preservation of the age-old cooking methods and products that are in danger of extinction. The project was launched in 2021 in the northwest of Azerbaijan and will be expanded to the south of the country in 2023. Tourists can have this authentic experience, getting acquainted with about 60 local partners and their products, merging into gastronomic experience and day-to-day life in Azerbaijan.
Another sustainable tourism experience – birdwatching – has been in the centre of attention here in Azerbaijan. The destination has recorded some 400 species of birds, and advantage of short distances between birdwatching sites. It brings the value of understanding the benefits of local recourses and how much more it can give back to the community if properly conserved.
“We are confident that our participation in ITB Berlin will help us raise awareness about Azerbaijan as a unique and vibrant travel destination,” said Sengstschmid. “We invite all attendees to visit our national stand and to experience the best that Azerbaijan has to offer.”
