Azerbaijan Tourism Association plans to develop beach tourism

Azerbaijan does not even use 15% of the tourism potential of the Caspian Sea, but it has great potential for tourism, the deputy chair of the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AzTa) Muzaffar Agakerimov said.

"Unfortunately, this potential is currently not being used at all. No tourists arrive in the country by water transport, choosing air transport, which is several times more expensive. First of all, we need to take measures to promote beach tourism, which is the most popular in the world. The Ministry of Health should take measures on cleaning the coastal territory suitable for tourism. And the most important question is that all beaches should be declared open. We hope this issue will be resolved in the near future and we’ll be able to reach the desired level of tourism development," abc.az cited Agakerimov as saying.

One more option for tourism could be the development of cruise tourism, but it is a more complicated process, as cruises should be coordinated with all Caspian countries. But Azerbaijan is able to organize direct trips to each of the Caspian countries.

"If we talk about the potential of the Caspian Sea, there are islands located in Azerbaijan’s sea area – for example, tours to the island of Nargin can be organized," Agakerimov said.