AITF 2013, the Azerbaijan International Tourism Fair in Baku, which traditionally opens the summer travel season, will this year welcome 35 exhibiting countries from around the world to the Baku Expo Centre from 4 to 6 April. Exhibitors from these countries will represent a wide cross-section of the travel industry, including airlines and air agents, tour operators and travel agents, hotels and hotel chains, spas, resorts, and companies specialising in luxury, business, adventure, educational and ecological tourism.
Aside from this, medical tourism will be heavily represented, and for the first time in the event’s history AITF 2013 will feature a ‘Real estate abroad’ section, an area of the tourism industry which has been gaining increasing popularity.

Sixteen countries will be exhibiting from collective national stands. Regular exhibitors from Turkey, Georgia, the Czech Republic and Russia will be joined this year by newcomer countries such as the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Hungary, Slovenia, Thailand, Tunisia and France. Visitors will once again be able to learn about the travel opportunities on offer in Egypt from the country’s tour operators who are returning to AITF this year.

Khayal Aliyeva, Project Director: “Over 60% of exhibition space has been booked already. A number of major exhibitors have considerably increased the size of their stands – Turkey and Georgia have both almost doubled their floor space, which will undoubtedly give them an opportunity to accommodate more visitors at their stands and demonstrate the rich potential of their countries in all its glory. AZAL, Azerbaijan’s flag carrier, has also increased its stand size.”

A large regional presentation will also be on display, promoting Azerbaijan’s tourism potential and showcasing regions of the country such as Khachmas, Gusar, Guba, Gabala, Sheki, Ismayilli, Lankaran, Oguz and Naftalan. The exhibition will once again feature presentations, seminars and various travel lotteries and sweepstakes held at the stands of exhibitors.

AITF 2013 has been actively supported by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan since its launch, and the event is also officially supported by the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).