Destination Development and
Institutionalization Strategies
In the OIC Member Countries
61
- Gabala-Sheki zone (235 km Northwest of Baku): It offers alpine meadows, mountains, waterfalls,
fishing, culture and traditional cuisine, arts and crafts, skiing resort (Tufandag), children’s attractions,
lakes and restaurants in the forest, in addition to well-developed hotel and entertainment
infrastructure;
- Guba-Gusar zone (200 km North of Baku): It offers ethnic cuisine, forests, mountains, waterfalls, ski
resort (Shahdag), fishing, hunting, children summer camps, beach resorts, mountain climbing, well
developed hotel and entertainment infrastructure;
- Lenkoran-Lerik zone (265 km South of Baku): It offers regional cuisine, forests, rivers, fishing, bird
preserve and two national parks, natural food, warm climate in winter, moderate hotel and
entertainment infrastructure.
Destination Development Institutional Strategies
The focus of this case study is the Ministry of Culture and Tourism which the government entity responsible
for managing and promoting Azerbaijan as a destination on both the national and regional level.
Starting 2011, Azerbaijan witnessed a significant infrastructure development with roads constructed, and the
main airport, Baku International Airport, reconstructed and new modern terminal built. The city transport
infrastructure has been renewed, power supply, water and gas system fully refurbished.216 The number of
hotels, restaurants, tourismattraction and entertainment facilities has been growingwith two newski-resorts,
many resort and recreation facilities, and a number of international hotel chains mainly 5-star hotels such as
Kempinski, Hilton, JW Marriott, Four Seasons, Fairmont, Sheraton, Jumeirah and others coming to Baku and
other regions of Azerbaijan.217 It is worth noting that there is a shortage of supply of 3 and 4 star hotels
especially 3 star hotels with no international chains available nor local investors interested in investing in this
category.218
Azerbaijan has been the home of a number of tourism, culture and sports events, such as Baku International
Jazz Festival, Gabala International Music Festival, EuropeanGames, Islamic Solidarity Games, Formula 1Grand
Prix, World Chess Olympiad and many others.219
There are a variety of educational and training programs that target the tourism industry in Azerbaijan.
Vocational education is provided in Baku and the city of Mingechaur for hotel staff including receptionists,
F&B administrators, waiters, chefs, cleaning staff and other non-managerial positions. The Azerbaijan
Tourism Institute in association with KREMS University of Austria offer higher education in tourism
management, marketing, advertisement, and facility management among other specializations. The
Azerbaijan State University has a department of tourismproviding tourismmanagement certificates while the
Azerbaijan Diplomatic Academy offers several modules of training in tourism management. Summer
internship programs are also offered by universities, both internally and abroad. Main internship partners of
Azerbaijani universities are the hotels and recreation zones in Turkey, Cypress and Greece. 220
216 Abbasov, T. (2017, September 7). Transport Infrastructure Development in the Republic of Azerbaijan (Azerbaijan, Ministry of
Transport, Communication and High Technologies). Retrieved fro
217 Azerbaijan heading for hotel construction boom [Web log post]. (2015, July 24). Retrieved from
218 Using the EU Institution Building Instruments (Twinning/TAIEX/SOCIEUX/SIGMA) in Azerbaijan [Brochure]. (2017). Retrieved from
219 Baku brings down Solidarity Games curtain in style. (2017). Retrieved fro
220 Interview with Azerbaijan Tourism Institute's Manager of Tourist Guides Training and Certification Program