Traveller, translation by the European bureau of Vestnik Kavkaza
Azerbaijan is a country investing huge purchases from oil and gas into te thourist industry. It intensively cooperates with Austria in the sphere. The first stage of constructing the summer and winter resort complex “Shakhdag,” was completed in the Caucasus Mountains of Azerbaijan due to Austrian know-how. It costs 2 billion euros. It is a prestigious tourist project which also has political importance as it was directly supported by the president of the country, Ilham Aliyev.
The mountain-skiing area of Shakhdag can compete with the best resorts of this type. Doppelmayr elevators and artificial snowmaking machines were brought from Austria, as well as a group of Austrian engineers and experts headed by Helmut Srott from ILF. They are working on building the complex for many years. They are responsible for planning, consulting, and management of the project, including the control over constructing. High standards were set; it seems Azerbaijan is about Sochi’s potential in construction of the complex.
The tourist complex can offer rooms for ten thousand guests. Some five- and four-star hotels have been partially opened; others are being constructed. The project requires that 15 elevators will cover the distance of 1.5 km. The ambassador of Austria was the first diplomat who climbed to the second highest mountain of the country, Shakhdag (4,300 m), within a three-day tour. Climbing to the peak begins right in the tourist complex “Shakhdag.”
Cooperation in the tourist sphere between Austrian Krems University of Applied Sciences and Azerbaijani Tourism Institute deserves special attention. In 2011 in presence of two heads of the states a cooperation treaty was signed. It will help Azerbaijan to promote its tourism at the international market. Since 2012, annually 30 Azerbaijani students have an opportunity to study in the Austrian university at tourist management and entertainment economics.
The new major program continues educational export which began in 2007 when Krems University proposed Azerbaijani students the Bachelor’s program. About 50 Azerbaijani students passed the program which was recognized by Central Asian countries.
Considering the fact that tourist economy becomes a key industry in many countries and shows the highest growth, it is clear that Austria is right to count on the country with significant, but untapped tourist potential.
Professor Heinz Boer, the executive director of Krems University, believes that the project in Baku will not only improve Austria’s image as one of the leading tourist nations in the world, but also will improve economic presence of Austria in the Central Asian region. There are firm grounds for promoting Azerbaijan as a country of the Silk Route with rich historic heritage and unbelievable landscapes. Krems experts should help in implementation of the project.
Ambassador Mayer-Keibik thinks that the potential of Azerbaijani tourists who could visit Austria shouldn’t be underestimated. That’s why she was disappointed that the top authorities didn’t support her idea to invite journalists from the developing South Caucasus republics on an advertising tour in Austria.
At the moment Azerbaijan is fulfilling a new EU project – the Azeri tourist industry is being structured according to the Austrian model. A part of the plan is foundation of a national marketing organization.
The metropolis (pop 2 million) on the bank of the Caspian Sea can be visited by a direct flight of Austrian Airlines. The Azerbaijani capital has a cosmopolitan spirit and incredible dynamics. The variety of city architecture is impressive. The perfectly restored Old City reminds an open-air museum. At the same time, hypermodern buildings give a Dubai shade to the city. Flame Towers which were built by Azinko Development and HOK International are nominated to Immobilien-Oscar, the highest award in the sphere of construction and architecture.
