Azerbaijan says tourist numbers rise in 2012

Azerbaijan saw an increase in tourist numbers in 2012, with 2.48 million people visiting the country, according to deputy culture and tourism minister Nazim Samadov.

He said the amount of tourists` spending in the country grew from 57.7 million US dollars to 1.3 billion dollars, adding "this is a result of the government`s well-considered tourism policy and the implementation of relevant state programs".

Samadov noted the number of hotels and other tourism facilities reached 520 in 2012.