4-6 April Baku Expo Center hosts Azerbaijan International Tourism and Travel Fair. CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board Florian Sengstschmid told his opinions about the tourism exhibition to Eurasia Diary.

"Tourism is generally very important. There are many types of it like health, business, cultural, sport and etc. The exhibition is very essential. Most of the international countries come here and exhibit, promote their destination. In parallel, we have a task to attract tourists and to present international buyers the beauty of our country," Sengstschmid evaluated the importance of the exhibition.

Explaining the conception of an Azerbaijani tourism strategy, he touched the plan of tourism development. "We have 9 different pillars involves private partnership, education, marketing, region developing and etc. Tourism Agency works with many associations for reaching the goal. We have a lot of works already done, but as you know it is very hard to gain achievement in a short period of time."

"International collaboration is very important, tourism is always a two-sided game. We welcome many countries here, in political level it boosts relations."

"Historically, Azerbaijan receives tourists from Russia, Iran Georgia. We have to develop new markets, like China, India, UK, Germany, Europe and so on. We have more connectivity with Arab states, we have to find different countries not depending on one side," CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board explained.

Florian Sengstschmid described the originality of Azerbaijan for tourists. "You may see the beautiful garden of Azerbaijan in this exhibition. There is a unique culture, history, art, tradition. You find there all of these. You have incredible nature diversity, starting from desert to mountain. Many activities can be done in small country."

Ulvi Ahmedli