AZERBAIJAN INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL & TOURISM FAIR AITF is the main event in Azerbaijan s fast growing tourism market attracting a large number of international participants and trade visitors from year to year becoming the hub for the tourism industry of the entire Caspian region. www.facebook.com/aitfazerbaijan www.linkedin.com/groups/8517022
PRESS CONFERENCE The press conference dedicated to the opening of AITF exhibition was held on April, 5 at Trend Information Agency. The press conference was led by Mr. Aydin Ismiyev Head of Tourism Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan; Mr. Farid Mammadov Executive Director of Iteca Caspian and Ms. Jamila Guliyeva Project Manager of AITF. It was attended by accredited journalists, including representatives of both national and international media.
Since its inception AITF is officially supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Significance of the industry and exhibition s high status and importance is emphasized by the consecutive annual visit of the President of Azerbaijan Republic, Ilham Aliyev. OPENING CEREMONY Official opening ceremony of AITF 2017 exhibition was held in Baku Expo Center on 6th of April. The ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Abulfas Garayev and Regional Director of ITE Group Plc Mr Edward Strachan. On the same day President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Mr Ilham Aliyev and Vice President Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva visited the AITF 2017 exhibition, observed the exposition that reflects the regional tourism potential of Azerbaijan and familiarised themselves with the national and regional pavilions of foreign countries.
AITF 2017 EXHIBITORS General Statistics: Exhibitors :301 Countries :22 National and Regional Groups :26 Exhibition space :2 359 sq.m. of exhibitors established new business contacts of participating companies were successful in meeting their overall objectives of exhibitors were satisfied with the quality of visitors of exhibitors expect to conclude new contracts as a result of this exhibition www.aitf.az
AITF 2017 VISITORS Visits :4 122 Local visitors :91% International visitors :9% Professional visitors :92% 61% would be interested in exhibiting at AITF next year MAIN VISITORS PROFILE Travel Agents & Tour Operators Hotel Industry Specialists Airlines Representatives Car Rental Agencies Representatives of Insurance Companies 94% of professional visitors confirmed they would like to attend AITF 2018 www.facebook.com/aitfazerbaijan www.linkedin.com/groups/8517022
MEDICAL AND HEALTH TOURISM SECTOR At AITF 2017, local and international health resorts, spa centers and sanatoriums from Azerbaijan, Belarus, Czech Republic, Georgia, Hungary, Russia, Slovenia, Turkey, Ukraine presented information about special offers in the field of medical and health tourism.
BUSINESS PROGRAM On 6 th of April Tourism Council of Azerbaijan held its regular, 3 rd meeting in the frame of AITF 2017 exhibition. The meeting was opened by the Chairman of the Council, Minister for Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan, Abulfas Garayev. Mr Chairman noted that tourism is a priority sector in the non oil sector of the country and approved Strategic Roadmap would play an immense role in developing of the field. Also, on 6 th of April Kazan Committee for Tourism held presentation on Kazan City Tourism Potential led by Darya Sannikova, Director of the Committee. www.facebook.com/aitfazerbaijan www.linkedin.com/groups/8517022
WORKSHOP For the already 2 nd time in the frame of AITF exhibition professional WORKSHOP was organised through which exhibitors got an additional chance to arrange B2B meetings with leading local travel companies, convey information about exclusive seasonal offers and discuss all conditions for further mutually beneficial cooperation. «It was a pleasure to interact at this event with familiar companies with whom we have cooperated for many years, as well as to meet with representatives of new companies presenting the tourism products of their various countries in different ways.» Tarlan Guliyev, CEO, Altus Travel «Given that our company is not specialized in any particular area and responds instead to client requests, it is very important for us to have a variety of affiliates around the world, and we believe that the staging of the Workshop has greatly contributed to its considerable expansion.» Jeyhun Guliyev, Tour Manager, ABA Travel 96% 100% of exhibitors established new business contacts at the Workshop oflocaltravelcompaniesaddednew tourism destinations to their portfolio as a result of the Workshop «The Workshop organized as part of the AITF exhibition is both important and useful. In fact, this is an opportunity to visit two events which have a common orientation, but are of different formats at the same time.» Svetlana Hasanova, Manager, Freestyle Safari
SPECIAL CERTIFICATES
SPECIAL CERTIFICATES
EVENING RECEPTION Traditional Evening Reception dedicated to the opening of the AITF 2017 exhibition took place on 6th of April at the Pullman Hotel Baku. The event was attended by guests including participants of AITF exhibition, official representatives of ministry, embassies and media representatives.
EXHIBITION TESTIMONIALS We are not new to AITF; this is our seventh year of cooperation with this exhibition. Over many years we have established strong partnership and friendly relations in Baku. Aleksey Petrov, Marketing Director, 1000 dorog After the first day of the exhibition, we can see that not only tour operators but also private individuals are interested in our offers. The exhibition is aimed at a good result. Muslimat Halimbekova, Head of the Department, Ministry of Tourism and Folk Art of the Republic of Dagestan The exhibition is able to reflect the advantages of relaxation, mentality, national wealth, and to cause gastronomic interest, while expanding the prospects for business tourism. Darya Kholodilina, Marketing Coordinator, Tourism Administration of Georgia We have come to Azerbaijan with great hopes for further cooperation with local organizations and travel companies. Diana Trachevskaya, Managing Director, James & William Consultancy LTD
EXHIBITION TESTIMONIALS Our organisation is participating at the AITF exhibition for the first time. We are really impressed by the organisation of this exhibition and the visitor activity. Darya Sannikova, Director at the Committee for the Promotion of Tourism in Kazan It is an opportunity for us to organize National Pavilion of Colombia and to contribute in the promotion of tourism potential and cultural heritage of our country as well as expand and strengthen bilateral relations with Azerbaijan. Marta Galindo, Charge d affaires e.p. of the Embassy of Colombia in Azerbaijan The exhibition plays an important role in highlighting the tourism potential and Turkey s status as a permanent participant of the event. Irfan Ciftci, Culture and Tourism Counsellor for the Embassy of Turkey in Azerbaijan CzechTourism has always participated at the AITF. Enthused by the positive feedback we have every year from our business partners and clients we always come back for more. Alena Kudilkova, Director of CzechTourism
BOOK YOUR STAND at AITF 2018! 5 7 APRIL, 2018 BAKU/АZERBAIJAN Contact person: Jamila Guliyeva Project Manager Tel.: +994 12 404 10 00 (1010) E mail: tourism@iteca.az www.aitf.az www.linkedin.com/groups/8517022 JOIN US! Organisers: www.facebook.com/aitfazerbaijan