Negative balance

Negative balance maintained in the tourism sector, which is declared the new driver of economic growth in Azerbaijan, a negative balance is maintained. This is evidenced by the data released the State Statistical Committee (SSC.) According to the report of the ministry, in 2017 the tourist flow to our country increased by 19.9% ​​compared to 2016, amounting to 2.696.700 people. The share of tourists from the Russian Federation was 31.7%, of Georgia - 20%, Iran - 13.5%, Turkey - 11.2%, UAE - 3.8%.

In addition, the flow of tourists to Azerbaijan from the CIS countries for the reporting period increased by 14.3% - to 1 million 6.5 thousand people, from the EU - by 17.4%, to 105.4 thousand people.

However, these figures, at first glance, confirming the success of the government's strategy for multi-vector development of the national economy, lose their significance against the background of other indicators. According to statistics, the number of our fellow citizens who went on vacation, treatment or business trip abroad, in 2017 decreased by 4%, amounting to 4.108.900 people. 33.4% of Azerbaijani travelers traveled to Georgia, 23.4% to Iran, the rest to Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Europe, and Asia. There are other interesting facts: almost 80% of our tourists used a railway or motor transport for a foreign trip (in all likelihood it is Georgian and Russian directions), the rest went by air (European and Middle East direction).

Comparison of the two main indicators on the structure of exit and inbound tourism is clearly not in favor of Azerbaijan. The number of Azerbaijanis who prefer to rest, improve their health, go abroad is by more than 30% higher than the number of foreigners coming to Baku and the regions of the country.

While it is unknown what measures the Ministry of Tourism and Culture intends to take to combat the negative balance in this area. At the same source in the department told Turan that "the information is being studied, there is nothing terrible in the noticeable gap between the volumes of tourists leaving and entering. Measures are being taken to strengthen the attractiveness of the country - participation in international exhibitions, commercials, etc. In the country there are more than 300 tour operators, 570 hotels and hotel-type facilities. There are beautiful places to relax "...

Then why, in the presence of beautiful nature, beautiful national cuisine, more than 4 million Azerbaijanis left last year for the Black Sea and Mediterranean coasts of Georgia, Turkey, the Russian Mineral Waters, Kislovodsk, Ukrainian Truskovets, Czechia, Italy, Austria?

As independent expert Samir Aliyev points out, there are many problems and shortcomings in this sphere. The main factor affecting the choice of the route, both by local tourists and foreigners, is "biting" prices. Especially this applies to air tickets, the cost of which immediately repels the tourist. Sometimes the weekly rest budget in Azerbaijan is twice the cost of the same tour to Georgia, Greece, Bulgaria.

Another reason is the services offered. They do not meet international standards, as well as tariffs. The staff of recreation centers, hired from the local population and untrained, by their behavior spoil the reputation of a tourist object. People of the middle class cannot afford a normal rest in Azerbaijan. Hotels either too expensive, or living conditions there are awful.

Another important thing to do is the program of the tourist's stay in Baku. What does it consist of? Visit to the museum? In addition to the art museum, the rest do not attract foreigners. Icheri sheher can be walked around and across for two hours, after looking at the "Maiden Tower". Another hour or two can be taken for a walk along the Trade, Seaside Boulevard and Fountain Square. What's next?

According to economist Fikret Mammadov, those who come to Azerbaijan face, first of all, the scarcity of the choice of tourist products, and, secondly, with the desire of all those involved in the process of servicing tourists to "rip off", "rob them".

"This is not the behavior that a hospitable country, which wants to become a tourist country, should demonstrate. In the current situation, the main problem is the private sector, corruption. He will destroy interest in Azerbaijan if this lawlessness continues," stressed Mamedov.

Summing up the comments of experts and economists, it can be concluded that at the root of these problems is the monopolization of the tourism industry. The market is divided between several oligarchs who do not allow medium-sized entrepreneurs to enter this market. Officials' fees for each certificate and signature become insurmountable barriers to the development of entrepreneurship in this area. Therefore, there is no need to talk about healthy competition and well thought-out price policy. If so, our citizens will go to rest in neighboring countries, where they are comfortable in all respects.--0--