By Vestnik Kavkaza
The editor-in-chief of the Russian edition of Vogue magazine, Victoria Davydova, wants to spend her vacation this summer in Azerbaijan. The socialite told Vestnik Kavkaza about the tourism exhibition of Condé Nast Traveller. “For me, Azerbaijan has always been a special place. The first time I went there, when I was 16 years old, it was a Soviet republic. The country impressed me, as if it was a foreign country. But, of course, while time is passing, everything changes. It would be great to visit the country again. I love to travel with children, to find for myself such interesting places, where to go with children. I just found out that there are a lot of interesting places in Azerbaijan: in the north wheat grows, and in the southern subtropics grapes grow. It would be great, of course, to combine the rest with some cultural experience,” Davydova said.
Condé Nast Traveller is one of the largest events in the field of elite tourism in Eastern Europe. More than 800 leading representatives of the tourism industry from Russia and the former Soviet Union came together under one roof. Guests were met with the sounds of a harp and splashing fountains in the historic Metropol hotel. Azerbaijan took part in a "luxury" event for the first time, and even acted as a partner country. As the head of a large delegation, the Minister of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfas Garayev came to the event to represent the republic.
Azerbaijan is a place where East meets West, and traditions are not dissolving in the present. Today, tourism in Azerbaijan begins to play an increasingly important role. The unique geographical location allows you to combine a holiday on the beach with skiing. Over the past 10 years the road system has been completely reconstructed. 7 international airports of the highest level help the desired destination to be reached in the shortest possible time. The visa-free arrangements with Russia, the common history and widespread knowledge of the Russian language allows Russians to feel comfortable in Azerbaijan. The country successfully held the Eurovision contest. This summer, Azerbaijan is hosting the first European Games.
Azerbaijan was allocated a special pavilion with an area of over 300 square meters. Study materials were prepared for guests in the Russian and English languages. Polad Bulbulogly, the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia, told Vestnik Kavkaza: “This is certainly a very good opportunity to show the achievements which we have today, especially in the luxury sector, where quite wealthy people are involved, they have a choice. Therefore, these exhibitions give the advantage that you can see, as they say, and feel, negotiate. As I can see, here real negotiations are conducted and companies present their products and hotels present their capacities. I think this is a very good platform for contacts, to get closer, to find new partners. And today, on the eve of the world's first European Games in Baku, it is very important.”
