Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

Culture and Tourism Minister Abulfaz Garayev has said a new law in the field of tourism will be passed in Azerbaijan.

According to Garayev, the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has prepared a set of recommendations for Azerbaijan which cover tourism management, and a new bill in the tourism sector is being prepared based on these recommendations and European standards.

"The law will allow imposing on hotels and other entities stringent requirements for standards of services that will create the conditions for the work of professionals in the field of tourism," Garayev said.

The minister went on to say that 17 travel agencies in Azerbaijan have applied to the UNWTO for associate membership. A meeting of the organization's General Assembly in Zambia is expected to approve the associate membership of these companies in August this year.

The Association of Tourism Agencies of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan Tourism Institute and Baku Tourist Information Centre are already members of the organization, he said.

Azerbaijan is a member of the UNWTO Silk Road program, which includes 28 countries, aimed to ensure the development of tourism throughout the Silk Road route by making joint efforts.

Earlier UNWTO Executive Director Zoltan Somogyi said the tourism sector is a priority direction for Azerbaijan and the UNWTO will continue cooperation with the country for further development of this field.

The UNWTO is responsible for the promotion of sustainable and universally accessible tourism. Its membership includes 155 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.