“Peace brings a new confidence in the region” says Azerbaijan Tourist Board CEO
Azerbaijan Tourist Board CEO Florian Sengstschmid explains how regional peace, expanding connectivity and cultural diversity are driving new tourism opportunities, positioning Azerbaijan and the wider South Caucasus as an emerging multi-country travel destination.
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00:00Hello and welcome to this edition of The Agenda, brought to you from Baku in Azerbaijan.
00:08It's my pleasure to welcome our guest Florian Seng-Schmidt, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourist Board.
00:13Thank you for being with us today.
00:15We have to begin with peace. There is peace in the region now.
00:19Can you explain the impact on that, on tourism in general here?
00:23Peace brings a new confidence in the region.
00:27Peace allows all beautiful countries to be promoted as a multi-country destination, a multi-country journey.
00:37And maybe this has been one of the obstacles in the past, that every country was a single standalone destination.
00:45But in future, this might bring a new destination, the South Caucasus, on the map.
00:52The South Caucasus, what defines also the broader region.
00:57And especially when we look at long-haul travelers from Asia, from the Americas.
01:02Tell me about how that's going to work in terms of connectivity within the country.
01:07Is it easy to get from Baku to other areas? It's a beautiful country.
01:11There's so much to offer that, you know, a lot of the world don't understand.
01:14Please explain what's going to happen in that way.
01:17Many cultures have criss-crossed the country.
01:21Many nations, people lived here of various religions, of various ethnicities, peacefully together.
01:29They think that is exactly what you feel when you also land in Baku.
01:34You have arrived to a very energetic place.
01:38And I think the mission is to take this out to the regions and to bring this same energy and development also to other parts of the country.
01:51And that's exciting, isn't it, when you look at how this can open up.
01:55Especially with the borders as well, that movement.
01:58Because, as you mentioned earlier, often that hub will allow people to really plan a different kind of trip.
02:05And put the South Caucasus on the map.
02:08I know it already is on the map, but really on that map.
02:12Absolutely. The South Caucasus is a destination.
02:14And not only in the region it creates new partnership opportunities, but also for the expanded region across the Caspian with Central Asia.
02:25We are already implementing, currently, such a fruitful cooperation with Uzbekistan, for example.
02:30We have been promoting the Silk Road heritage across European cities this year, jointly with our colleagues and friends from Uzbekistan.
02:39So, any opening brings new opportunities, brings new perspectives, and definitely there will be a huge benefit also for Azerbaijan.
02:51So, if we look at the fact that you mentioned the number of travellers that could be coming to this region, to this country now, that it wants to be part of that tourist go-to nation.
03:05There are implications internally with that, aren't there? Because there will be a greater influx of people.
03:12Tell me about how the country is going to cope with that.
03:16Connectivity is great. Baku is connected to many places also.
03:20There is a lot of new hubs opening in the broader region, which will bring even better connectivity also to Baku, although might not be directly connected.
03:31We know the global challenges, for example in aviation, is shortage of aircrafts is everywhere, wherever you look.
03:38So, but with the years to come, and also new aircrafts coming in for the national flag carrier, plus attracting new carriers, and again not only to Baku, but also to the regions, will have a very positive impact.
03:52And reputation is so important, and I want to touch on trust and safety.
03:58There can be perceptions for those who don't know about the region, about those two things. What are your comments about that?
04:06Peace will build further trust, will build more confidence to investors, to global brands, to anyone who is coming to the region.
04:16But safety is something that is a very personal perception. You cannot talk about safety, you can only feel it.
04:24So, if you could describe why someone should come here to Baku, and travel around Azerbaijan, in one sentence, what would it be?
04:34You have semi-deserts, deserts, you have a land empowered by Mother Nature, from wind, the sun, the fire, and many resources, you know, linked to that earth.
04:48And then add the layer of people on it, with different cultures, with different ethnicities, languages, backgrounds.
04:55Florian, thank you for joining us in this edition of The Agenda. Thank you.
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