Baku, April 2 (AZERTAC). The 13th Azerbaijan International Travel & Tourism Fair (AITF) and the 8th Horex Caucasus 2014 International Exhibition will be launched on April 3 at the Baku Expo Center.

A press conference dedicated to the opening of the 13th Azerbaijan International Travel and Tourism Fair, AITF 2013 and 8th Caucasus International Hospitality Fair HOREX Caucasus 2014 has today been held.

The press conference was attended by Head of Tourism Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Aydin Ismiyev, Executive Director of the ITE Group PLC Edward Strachan, Project Manager Khayala Aliyeva.

They noted that the “AITF-2014” and “HOREX Caucasus-2014” would open the new exhibition season.

AITF has earned the status of a leading international exhibition which reflects the overall situation on the current tourism market of different regions and represents the special features of different parts of the planet. The exhibition has been the international meeting place for a whole industry for 13 years. Since its inception, AITF has had the active support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The exhibition also had the support of UNWTO (World Tourism Organisation), ITTFA (International Tourism Trade Fairs Association), Azerbaijan Fund for the Promotion of Export and Investment (AZPROMO) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneur Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK). The exhibition has been granted the "UFI Approved Event" status by the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry.

The show is organised by Iteca Caspian and ITE Group whose network of partners and agents around the world - including ITE London, EUF in Turkey, GiMA in Germany and ITE Gulf - has brought international participants to the event. Official partners of all exhibitions in 2014 include Official Hotels - JW Marriott Hotel Absheron Baku and Qafqaz Point Hotel, Official Tour Operator Greenwich Travel Club and Official Safety partner - SafeLife.

This year, the exhibition will have a record number of exhibitors - 351 companies and organisations from 38 countries that can create a unique tour to any country around the world. Over 60% of exhibitors are foreign companies that are preparing to present their exclusive tourism offers that have been especially developed for the market in Azerbaijan. 40% of exhibitors are local companies. Another record is the number of National Stands at the exhibition. 24 National and Regional groups are exhibiting at the exhibition with the support of national tourism boards and national embassies, including stands from Azerbaijan, Argentina, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Zagreb (Croatia), India, Indonesia, Italy, Malaysia, Morocco, Slovenia, Stavropol Region (Russia), Thailand, Turkey, Sochi (Russia), France, Montenegro and Czech Republic. One of the repeat exhibitors at AITF is Bulgaria. The country has been the Partner of the AITF exhibition several times and will have the status of Registration Partner at this year's exhibition.

One of the most interesting and colourful events at the exhibition will be the scale of displays put on by the regions of Azerbaijan. The variety of tourism packages in Azerbaijan can enrich any tourism offering. Regions of Azerbaijan will be part of the regional display, including Gabala, Gah, Guba, Zagatala, Ismayilli, Lerik, Masalli, Mingechevir, Khachmas, Shamakhi, Shamkir, Sheki, the Republic of Nakhchivan and the department of culture and tourism of the city of Sumgait. Tourism offerings presented at the exhibition will include various types of tourist activity, including rural and eco-tourism, rafting, ski and sea resorts and many others. Nearly 60 hotels will be part of the regional display, some of which are part of global hotel chains. The Azerbaijan Tourism Association will gather the leading hotels and tourism agencies from the whole of Azerbaijan at their stand.

The 8th Horex Caucasus 2014 International Exhibition is the only specialised event for the hotel and restaurant industry in the region. The Horex Caucasus Exhibition is supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan Fund for the Promotion of Export and Investment (AZPROMO) and the National Confederation of Entrepreneur Organisations of the Republic of Azerbaijan (ASK). The organisers of the exhibition are Iteca Caspian and their partners ITE Group PLC from the United Kingdom. The official safety partner of all exhibitions organised by Iteca Caspian in 2014 will be SafeLife, the official hotels will be the JW Marriott Absheron Baku Hotel and Qafqaz Point Hotel and the official tour operator will be Greenwich Travel Club.

Companies will demonstrate modern developments and new technologies for the provision of high level tourism services, conceptual discoveries from producers, high quality service standards and new standards of professional ethics. Leading companies from Azerbaijan, Germany, Georgia, Netherlands, UAE, Russian, Turkey and Switzerland will have stands at the exhibition. Art Nishan, Asena, Faber Chemical&medicine, Horeca, HRS, Kimberly Clark Advent, Muehldorfer, REM Services Tanay and major local producer of professional equipment Titan Group, Wanzi and many others are some of the repeat exhibitors at the event. Companies making their debut this year include Azer Co (Milla), Base7Booking, Ekipan, Fina, Swissam Hospitality Business School, Zivella and many others.