Azernews.Az

By Nigar Orujova

The Silk Road countries have stepped up efforts to introduce an analogue of the Schengen visa, a single simplified visa system, manager of the Silk Road program of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Alla Peresolova, told media in Baku on Monday.

A business meeting of the Silk Road program working group was held in the Azerbaijani capital on Monday.

According to Peresolova, UNWTO Secretary General Taleb Rifai supports the introduction of such visas. But she said it is yet unknown when this visa system will be introduced, adding that negotiations on the matter are underway.

As a result of studying the economic benefits for the Silk Road countries after the introduction of a single simplified visa system, a conclusion was made that the measure will increase the inflow of tourists to the region and have a positive impact on the development of the tourism industry.

The tourism sector is a priority direction for Azerbaijan and the UNWTO will continue cooperation with the country for further development of this field, UNWTO Executive Director Zoltan Somogyi said at the meeting of the Silk Road program taskforce.

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

In September 2012, Baku hosted a two-day international conference, "Taste of the Silk Road: Cooking, Culture and Tourism", dedicated to highlighting the tremendous potential of the Silk Road region for cultural tourism.

The WTO is the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism with 155 countries, 6 Associate Members and over 400 Affiliate Members representing the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.