Azerbaijan participates in “Ferien-Messe Wien”, which takesplace from March 14th to 17th, 2024 in Vienna, Austria. Together with industry partners, including Azerbaijan Airlines, hotels and tourism agencies, Azerbaijan presents the myriad of travel experiences. These encompass everything from exploring rich cultural heritage and UNESCO sites to hiking through lush landscapes, immersing in nomadic life-style in remote villages and indulging in delicious local cuisine with Slow Food experience.
Additionally, on March 13th, ATB representatives organized a masterclass on "How to Plov in Azerbaijani" for students at Tourism College Modul of the Vienna Chamber of Commerceand Industry. Supported by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Austria, the session introduced students to the art of Azerbaijani plov in an edutainment format, delving into its unique biodiversity. Students were also provided with postcards featuring recipes and necessary information, enabling them to independently prepare the dish using the provided resources. Following the fair, on the 14th, an evening dedicated to the preservation of Azerbaijani Cultural Heritage and Austria's contributions was hosted at the Azerbaijani Cultural Centre, organized by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Austria.
"We are thrilled to attend the Ferien Messe, showcasing Azerbaijan’s rich tourism potential to Austrian travellers and partners," said Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board. "The introduction of direct flights from Baku to Vienna by Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) last year, coupled with easy e-visa procedures, has made traveling to Azerbaijan more attainable than ever. We're excited to invite visitors to explore and enjoy all that Azerbaijan has to offer, so they can experience our destination in their own unique way."
“Ferien-Messe Wien” is distinguished for its tourism business focus on the first two days, followed by a seamless transition into B2C meetings over the weekend. Thus, visitors to Azerbaijan’s stand do not only have the chance to meet the tourism representatives but also immerse themselves in Azerbaijan's rich tourism offerings through different interactive experiences. Everyone is welcome to enjoy tastings of Azerbaijani wine and national sweets available all four days at the national stand. Additionally, ATB offers an exciting VR experience that transports visitors to the wonders of Azerbaijan, allowing them to explore our breath-takinglandscapes and vibrant culture first-hand.
Moreover, on the first day of the Ferien Messe, audiences were treated to the beauty and energy of Azerbaijani national dance, providing a glimpse into the country's rich cultural tapestry. Highlighting the significance of the exhibition, Rovshan Sadigbayli, the Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan to Austria, also visited the stand.
At the stand, guests can learn more about Azerbaijan's diverse tourism offerings, including more of the UNESCO World Heritage sites like the Old City of Baku and the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, and the Sheki Historic Centre in north-west. While Baku offers a vibrant city life with its museums and trendy bars, the regions beckon tourists with opportunities for hiking in lush nature and picturesque vineyards. With top-notch infrastructure including the Skytrax 5-star rated Baku International Airport, chain hotels, iconic Flame Towers, and premier facilities like the Baku Congress Centre and Heydar Aliyev Centre, Azerbaijan is primed to welcoming all types of tourists.
Sustainable tourism plays a pivotal role in ATB's strategy, catering to the expectations of modern travellers, preservingand enhancing Azerbaijan's resources.
Collaborative initiatives with industry partners have led to the development of hiking routes, birdwatching excursions, wine tourism and butterfly watching experiences to be available soon across Azerbaijan. Notably, this year Azerbaijan has taken a step to join Slow Wine initiatives with its debut at the “Slow Wine Fair”, emphasizing tradition of community winemaking.Moreover, in 2021 Azerbaijan launched the Slow Food Travel (SFT) project, to safeguard traditional cooking methods and endangered products. Now, tourists can immerse themselves in Azerbaijan’s gastronomical experiences in the north-western region, engaging with local partners and their offerings. It is planned to expand this project further to thesouth this year. Additionally, efforts to preserve the UNESCO-inscribed cultural landscape of Khinalig village and the 'Köç Yolu' transhumance route underscore the commitment to safeguarding infrastructure, culture, and traditions. Similarly, birdwatching tourism is blossoming thanks to Azerbaijan's rich biodiversity, highlighting the importance of conservation for community benefit.
The demand from Austrian travellers is facilitated by the e-visa, which can be obtained from evisa.gov.az within 3 days, and the availability of non-stop flights, allowing travellers to reach the largest city in the Caucasus region in approximately 4 hours. Direct flights from Vienna are available through Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) operating three times a week.