Azerbaijan, Baku, May 22 / Trend U. Ismayilova /
The Azerbaijani Association of Tourism has initiated monitoring to identify companies and individuals who illegally deal with tourism in the country, the Association president Nahid Bagirov said.
"Initial results of the monitoring showed the presence of companies and individuals who operate without a license of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism on the market", Bagirov said.
He said that the existence of such companies on the market hinders the overall development of the market, improves the professional quality of services, as well as contributes to the violation of price policy on the tourism market.
"Such companies or individuals provide tourists with local tours in hotels of Turkey [Azerbaijani tourists prefer these hotels] at a price, nominated in euros. According to the policy of these hotels, it is available only for European citizens," head of the association said.
Turkish hotels reserve rooms in their hotels for CIS citizens, particularly tourists from Azerbaijan, but at a price nominated in dollars, Bagirov said.
"The sale of permits in the European currency can be regarded as illegal and a violation of the rights of tourists who are cheated," Bagirov said.
Azerbaijani tourists, who make a reservation for Turkish hotels in euro run risk. First, they may not be allowed in hotels. Second, tourists have to pay the difference in deadlock, which is about 20 percent per day.
"Tourism Association has warned that administrative sanctions will be imposed on all companies and individuals hampering the development of the market," Bagirov said.
Bagirov called all Azerbaijani tourists to be vigilant when appealing travel companies. They should ask about their license granted by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Culture and Tourism to protect their rights.
At present, Azerbaijan has over 100 tourist companies.