Over 240 travel agencies operate in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
The number of travel agencies operating in Azerbaijan has exceeded 240, Azerbaijan's Culture and Tourism Ministry reports.
Today, there are 241 travel agencies in Azerbaijan. The documents presented by 53 individuals and legal entities were reviewed last year, and they were granted a license which allows them to engage in tourism activities.
Meanwhile, the licenses of LLC Bona Mente Holdinq, AQHorizont, and Riad Tour were suspended last year.
The ministry also reported that warnings were sent to the heads of 205 hotels and hotel-type facilities without licenses or with expired licenses.
The ministry stressed the importance of obtaining a license.
At present, there are 258 licensed hotels and hotel-type facilities in Azerbaijan.
The documents submitted by 74 legal entities and individuals were considered last year, and they were granted with licenses for hotel activity.
The ministry canceled the license of ISR Azeri Apart and Business Centre in 2013, and suspended the hotel business of Seyahet-A and Qechresh companies.
About 2.4 million tourists visited Azerbaijan in 2013, spending some $700-800 a week on accommodations, food, and cultural programs. Tourists prefer visiting the Sheki, Gusar, Shamakhi, Lerik, and Lenkoran regions.
Beside a great number of five-star hotels in the capital, the number of three- and four-star hotels costing $80-100 a day has increased in Azerbaijan in the past few years.