ECO-TOURISM CONFERENCE HELD IN BAKU
The two-day conference gathered over 80 local and foreign experts, the authors of the most popular tourist guidebook on Azerbaijan and experts in sustainable eco-tourism development from the University of Kent in the United Kingdom, focused on best management practices in eco-tourism, its impact on the country's economy and strategies for promoting it.
"Eco-tourism and the tourism sector in general could play a major role in development outside the oil and gas sectors of Azerbaijan's economy", said Ambassador Peter Burkhard, Head of the OSCE Office in Baku, opening the conference. But only co-ordinated efforts by all stakeholders would further promote eco-tourism in the country and help bring the tourism sector up to international standards, he added.
Addressing the conference, Husseingulu Bagirov, the Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, said special attention should be paid to proper regulation in order to preserve the natural wealth of the country.
“We should remember eco-tourism is based on responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment and sustaining the well-being of local people. Without this, eco-tourism will hardly achieve its full potential in assisting the economic development and raising the living standards of local populations”
Abulfaz Qarayev, Minister of Youth, Tourism and Sport, emphasized the positive impact developing the tourism sector could have on the reduction of poverty and socio-economically marginalized people in Azerbaijan.“Tourism generates growth through a wide variety of services and economic sectors, assists regional development and creates employment. To fully exploit its potential tourism, we need to develop partnerships and co-operation at all level,.” he said.
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