A meeting on “Results of 2020 and tasks for 2021” was held in the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on January 13, 2021.
Akbar Novruzov, the Director of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic made an opening speech and gave detailed information about the work done and the events held in 2020.
It was noted that a number of work has been carried out, the development of tourism has been kept in focus in 2020 by the Tourism Department of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. During the year implementation of the "State Program on development of tourism in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2018-2020" has been continued, Tourism Calendar of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2020 has been prepared and posted on the official website of Nakhchivan Tourism Information Center.
Within the framework of the “Professional waiter” project implemented by the Tourism Department from January 14, 2020 to February 21, 2020 in order to increase the professional level of staff in catering facilities and hotels, a total of 12 trainings and workshops were organized for the participants. Certification exam was held for project participants in the Tourism Department, the participants who showed the best results in the exam were awarded the relevant certificate of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
During this period promotion activities have been expended at the Nakhchivan Tourism Information Center, requests received by the Center via telephone, e-mail and social network accounts were answered accordingly. Local and foreign tourists came to the Center had been acquainted with informative advertising materials, their questions were answered. Sending materials related to the tourism opportunities of the autonomous republic to tourism information centers and tourism companies located in other regions of Azerbaijan, as well as in foreign countries was kept in focus. So that, in totally, about 5000 informational materials were sent to the e-mail addresses of about 200 hotels and tour operators operating in Azerbaijan and more than 20 foreign countries, 11 tourism information centre operating in the regions. During the year the official website of the Nakhchivan Tourism Information Center has been enriched with materials reflecting the tourism opportunities of the autonomous republic, more than 600 informational posts have been shared the center’s social media accounts, and reached more than 362,000 views. 7 videos related to tourism posted on the Center’s YouTube channel.
During the year the preparation of informative advertising materials was kept in focus, Sahil Park in Nakhchivan city is included in the Tourist Map of Nakhchivan City and its booklet was published. The work on the preparation of the “Guide Book of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” comes to the end. In addition, the booklets of tourist routes prepared in Azerbaijani-English languages, tourist maps of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic and Nakhchivan city, the Map of Religious Tourism of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic has been translated into Russian.
It was noted that during this period consistent measures have been taken to develop rural tourism. Information about Agbulag Rural Tourism Recreation Area established by the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated November 29, 2018 “On the establishment of Agbulag Rural Tourism-Recreation Area” has been sent to e-mail addresses of more than 200 hotels and tour operators operating in Azerbaijan and more than 20 foreign countries. Consistent work has been done to promote the Agbulag Rural Tourism-Recreation Area on the official website of the Nakhchivan Tourism Information Center, its groups and pages on social networks.
During the year in order to study and promote the domestic tourism potential of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the Department, together with the regions executive authorities identified 26 useful village houses and greeneries for rent which are important in terms of ecotourism. In order to promote them on social networks "naxcivan_ekoturizm" social network accounts have been created, a total of 60 posts were shared during the year, and reached 3142 views. In addition information and photos about the houses are posted in a special section on the official website of the Nakhchivan Tourism Information Center.
It was emphasized that on May 5, 2020 Nakhchivan city ice-house where “Milli Yemekler” public catering LLC located was opened up after restoration and reconstruction. According to the relevant order of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, “Milli Yemekler” public catering LLC was established under the “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Center, the enterprise is officially registered by the State Tax Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
According to the Decree of Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic “On supporting innovation and additional measures for giving voluntary assistance to the specialties in higher and secondary education institutions by relevant organization” dated April 3, 2019, the internship of the fourth year students studying the specialties of the “Tourism and hotel management” of Nakhchivan State and “Nakhchivan” universities was provided, excursions to the museums operating in Nakhchivan city were organized. At the end of the internship its final conference and the seminar on “Requirements for tourist routes and methods to create them” were held for students in the Department on December 21, 2020.
During the reporting period, a startup project named “AzTourism” was submitted to the Department, the project was evaluated in accordance with the relevant procedure and submitted for review.
According to the program of pedestrian routes of Nakhchivan and Ordubad cities excursions were organized for participants of the “Tourism volunteer” project to Nakhchivan and Ordubad cities. Based on the request of the "Youth Foundation of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" public legal entity, the participation of tourism volunteers in competitions and events organized by the Foundation among Nakhchivan volunteers, the “1st Solidarity Form of Nakhchivan Volunteers” and the awarding ceremony on December 4, 2020 was provided.
In connection with the implementation of the "State Program for the Development of Sports in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in 2020-2025" approved by the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated February 14, 2020, the album-catalog "Sports Tourism in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic" is being prepared.
It was emphasized that, according to the "Museum Days" schedule compiled to the Decree of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic dated December 19, 2014 "On further strengthening relations with museums" excursions of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was organized to the Botanical Garden on September 26, 2020 and the Garabaghlar Tomb Complex on October 17, 2020.
According to the schedule excursions of the staffs of ministries, committees, main departments, institutions and organizations of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was organized in the National Values Museum during the year.
Director noted that "Joint Action Plan of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on the development of tourism in Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic for 2020-2023" approved, An appropriate working group was established and work has been done in the direction of its implementation. Relevant information and photos were submitted to the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Also, an employee of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau was sent to the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in March 2020 to prepare an article on the tourism potential of the autonomous republic for the next issue of the "Experience Azerbaijan" magazine to be published in September 2020, appropriate assistance was provided to the employee to get acquainted with the touristic places of Nakhchivan.
According to that action plan, a unique local destination logo of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was developed in accordance with the “Take another look” brand and logo. On September 24, 2020 the presentation ceremony of the Tourism logo of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic was held on the occasion of “September 27 - World Tourism Day” and “Tourism Workers' Day” professional holiday at "Saat Meydani" touristic recreation center.
After the end of the pandemic period online discussions for the preparation of practical tourism guides on cultural routes in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic were held in accordance with the Action Plan, information and experience were exchanged.
It was noted that the Department held a webinar on “Rules for organization of hotel activities in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic during the coronavirus pandemic” approved by the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic on August 19, 2020, as well as an online conference on “Development prospects for domestic tourism in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic” was held, the participation of representatives of hotels and hotel-type facilities and other tourism sector operating in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, as well as tourism volunteers was ensured in these events. According to the relevant order of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic the commission conducted monitoring in hotels in October, gave theoretical and practical recommendations to the staff on activities during the pandemic, informative and warning poster samples were presented. In accordance with the results of monitoring for ensuring compliance with sanitary and hygiene standards and norms required for its activities 4 hotels were provided with sanitary and hygiene certificates by the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.
During the reporting period, relations with the media operating in the autonomous republic were participated in television and radio programs,
Then Arzuman Imanov, Head of Finance and General Affairs Sector geve detailed information about the work done by the Sector during the year, he noted organization and regulation of accounting, clerical work, document circulation, archives, reception of citizens and consideration of appeals as well as work on the civil service and labor legislation will continue to be in the center of attention.
Director of the “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Center Sitare Rustamova gave general information about activities of the Center, preservation, systematic study, development and promotion of culinary culture, one of the most ancient fields of folk art, are the main courses of activity of the “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Center. At the present “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Center continues its activity in “Milli Yemekler” public catering LLC. The creation of modern working conditions for the activities of the Center is a clear evidence of the attention and care shown by the leadership of the autonomous republic.
During the reporting period along with the samples of kitchen that are being forgotten, the collection of tradition and folklore samples of our national cuisine was continued by the Center, participated in the shooting of television programs promoting our dishes and the ways of preparation of them are visually demonstrated, informative interviews were given. Information about our national cuisine was shared on the center's Instagram and Facebook pages, and reached more than 80,000 views. In addition to promote the samples of national cuisine to a wider audience, a YouTube channel of “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Center was created and videos reflecting the ways of preparation of our national dishes were shot and posted on this channel. In addition, work was being done in the process of developing www.nakhchivancuisine.az website.
She also noted that during the year lots of posts have been shared about the activity of “Milli Yemekler” public catering LLC, samples of dishes offered by the restaurant on social network accounts called “milli yemekler_buzxana”, reached about 10,000 views.
According to the assignment of the Chairman of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic the study of culinary culture for young people was kept in the center of attention, during the year “Nakhchivan cuisine” Culinary Centre held a seminar on “National cuisine of Nakhchivan” for students studying the specialty “Technology teaching” at the Nakhchivan State University.
Summing up the meeting, Director of the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic Akbar Novruzov said that the conditions created in the Tourism Department of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will be used in the most effective way, the staff of the Department will work hard in the direction of fulfilling the tasks arising from the 4th session of 6th convocation of the Supreme Majlis of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic held on December 30, 2020.