14th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism exhibition Post show release 05.03.2015 From 2-4 April, AITF 2015, the 14th Azerbaijan international travel and tourism exhibition took place at Baku Expo Center. AITF has earned its status as a leading international exhibition, reflecting the overall image of the modern tourism market in the region and presenting the local flavours of different areas of the world. For 14 years, the exhibition has been the regional leader as a major international meeting place for the entire industry. Since its inception, AITF has been supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The exhibition is also supported by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AzTA), and the International Tourism Trade Fairs Association (ITTFA), Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Foundation (AZPROMO), and the National Confederation of the Entrepreneurs (Employers) Organisations of the Azerbaijan Republic (AEK). The organisers of the exhibition are Iteca Caspian and ITE Group. On 3 April, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and his spouse Mehriban Aliyeva visited AITF 2015. International exhibitors demonstrated the potential of their countries, their determination to establish business links with Azerbaijan in the area of tourism, to inform, and exchange experience. After seeing the exhibition, President Ilham Aliyev and Mehriban Aliyeva were presented with tickets to the opening ceremony for Baku 2015 European Games and he wished success for the exhibition. Abulfas Garaev, Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, mentioned in his speech at the official opening ceremony the Government’s continuous work on the development of the industry, and noted the significant growth in regional tourism centres presented at AITF 2015. Mr Garaev emphasised the fact that Baku is regularly being chosen for holding major international cultural, sporting and scientific events, which is influencing the development of tourism. The Minister also noted that AITF is the leading tourism event in the region, and added that in 2016 it will mark its 15th anniversary and invited everyone to visit. At the end of his speech, the Minister voiced the words of Taleb Rifai, General Secretary of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO), who stated that Azerbaijan is the star among tourist destinations across the world. Edward Strachan, Director of ITE Group also gave a speech at the official opening ceremony, in which he expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan for their support for the exhibition. Mr Strachan also noted that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan is actively promoting Azerbaijan abroad and in particular at ITE Group’s other exhibitions. At the end of the ceremony, he presented the Minister with a certificate. In the run-up to the summer season, for 3 days AITF demonstrated a wide range of tourism services, bringing together the major players of the tourism market. A total of 371 companies from 42 countries presented their offers for 80 tourist destinations. With support from national tourism agencies and embassies, the exhibition featured 17 national stands and regional groups from Argentina, Bulgaria, Iran, Georgia, the Dominican Republic, India, Malaysia, Morocco, the UAE, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey and others. This year, the exhibition brought exotic destinations such as Australia, Kenya, Columbia, the Maldives, Mexico, the Seychelles and Old Europe such as the Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia, Montenegro, France, Croatia, Italy, Germany and Estonia even closer for Azerbaijani tourists. Among exhibitors were tour operators, national tourism organisations, hotel chains, sanatoriums, holiday resorts, health and spa centres, and sport and eco-friendly tourist facilities. Azerbaijan’s many opportunities were presented by tour operators under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijan Tourism Association (AzTA). Significantly expanding their space at the exhibition this year, AzTA brought together leading hotels and tour agencies from all over Azerbaijan that work with domestic and inbound tourism. In addition, Azerbaijan’s tourism potential was demonstrated at the vibrant stands of the country’s regions: Qabala, Qakh, Quba, Lankaran, Mingachevir, Oghuz, the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Shaki, Zaqatala, Masalli, Ismailli, Khachmaz, Ganja, Sumqayit, and the village of Ivanovka, famous far beyond Azerbaijan’s borders. As usual, the exhibition featured a stand from Karabakh, which introduced visitors to the cultural and historical heritage of the region. Visitors, therefore, became acquainted with the flavours of Azerbaijan’s regions, and the rich folklore, cuisine and traditions of the Azerbaijani people. This year, the number of exhibitors offering destinations for medical tourism increased significantly. New achievements in the areas of treatment, healthcare, and spa tourism were offered by medical centres and sanatoriums from Azerbaijan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Greece, Israel, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary and Turkey. Among those taking part for the first time were famous companies, private and state clinics from Turkey (Erzurum City Hospital), the Czech medical centre European Patient Service, and leading clinics from Israel presented by KRV Medical Group, Symetria Hospital from Greece, MED LT from Lithuania, and Slovak Healing Spa Turcianske Teplice from Slovakia. Junisa GmbH and Johannesbad Fachklinik AG & Co. KG. from Germany presented a number of advanced clinics from Munich, Berlin, Bavaria and other areas. The recently formed Azerbaijan Health & Thermal Tourism Association offered Azerbaijani health centres such as Chinar SPA Naftalan, Duzdaq Otel, and Naftalan Hotel by Rixos. In recent years, AITF has actively developed the Real Estate Abroad section, reflecting the growing demand among Azerbaijani citizens for property in popular resort areas. This year, AITF featured companies providing real estate services in Turkey, Bulgaria, the UK, the UAE, and the Czech Republic. Therefore, local companies had the opportunity to acquire reliable partners by way of companies such as ETU Homes, and Netto Homes offering property in Turkey, The First Group, and Dream Home offering property on the Bulgarian coast. In order to improve communication between exhibitors and visitors, the organisers launched a new service – matchmaking. Tour operators, agencies, and representatives of airlines, hotel chains, and international real estate agencies, and clinics could book business meetings with exhibitors in advance. The matchmaking programme helped save time, open up additional opportunities for tourism industry professionals in advance, efficiently plan work at the exhibition, meet potential partners and clients, establish new contacts and strengthen existing ones. One of the highly anticipated events during the exhibition was the presentation of certificates for the most vibrant exhibits. According to the independent jury, the winners were: Best Stand Design – Azal Best Country Presentation – Turkish National Stand Best Corporate Style – Marti Hotels Best National Concept – Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organisation of Iran Best Destination Presentation – India Tourism Best Tour Operator – Desert Gate Best Hotel Promotion – Adenya Hotels Best Debut – Maldives Marketing and PR Corporation Most Active Work with Visitors – AzTA (Azerbaijan Tourism Association) During the exhibition, the Daily News newspaper was released, covering the exhibition’s events. The newspaper included numerous photographs of the stands, events and interviews. AITF 2015 was very successful, as is attested to by both exhibitors and visitors. The number of visitors over three days reached more than 3976 specialists. The 15 th anniversary AITF will take place from 7-9 April 2016 at Baku Expo Center. The organisers are planning a special event programme to accompany the exhibition. .