On December 2, with the organizational support of the State Tourism Agency and the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, a conference titled "Development Prospects of Wine Tourism in Azerbaijan was organized to facilitate the exchange of ideas regarding the potential for the advancement of wine tourism in Azerbaijan and to disseminate the latest innovations in this field.
During the conference, Florian Sengstschmid, the Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, remarked that our country holds significant potential for the advancement of wine tourism. He highlighted that Azerbaijan's winemaking traditions and products are showcased at international tourism exhibitions.
The President of the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO), Jose Antonio Vidal, and the Vice-President of the organization for the Eurasian region, Leonid Gelibterman, delivered speeches on relevant topics.
Moreover, as part of the conference, there was a ceremonial presentation of the official certificate marking the membership of the "Sheki Winery" factory in the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO), marking the first such membership in Azerbaijan. This affirms the plant's significant contribution to the enhancement of enotourism potential in our country. Being a member of this international association will open avenues for exchanging experiences, organizing events, and fostering partnerships with other participants in the GWTO.
"I am delighted to announce that today Azerbaijan has found its place on the GWTO map, drawing the attention of experts and enthusiasts of wine culture. The rich history of the region, the distinctive character of local soils, and the authenticity of the wines produced here constitute the key elements of success. These factors will not only attract tourists from around the world but also contribute to economic development, further enhancing the tourism potential of the country" stated Jose Antonio Vidal, President of GWTO.
It's worth noting that the "Az Abrau" company, representing the interests of Russia's "Abrau-Durso" Group of Companies, is actively involved in the development of the wine tourism potential of the "Sheki Sharab" plant in Azerbaijan. Regarding the presentation of the certificate, Ernest Mingazov, Director of "Az Abrau," commented:
"By applying world-leading practices in the realm of wine tourism and leveraging international expertise, we aim to draw tourists to the region and establish Sheki as an appealing tourist destination, renowned for its ancient history".
As part of the conference, Sakina Asgarova, the Director of the Gastronomy Tourism Management Department at the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, shared information with participants about the upcoming projects in the field of gastronomy tourism in Azerbaijan.
Furthermore, representatives from companies specializing in wine production and wine tourism delivered informative presentations, offering insights into the experiences of the respective companies they represent.
The event concluded with the speakers addressing the engaging questions posed by the participants.
It should be noted that the State Tourism Agency promotes wine tourism at the international level, considering the presence of internationally recognized local grape varieties and wine types in Azerbaijan. In our country, the preservation of ancient winemaking traditions and their utilization for tourism purposes is a primary focus on the western, northern, and northwestern tourist routes, including in the Tugh settlement of the Khojavand region.
Azerbaijan is a member of the tangible and intangible winemaking cultural route "Iter Vitis," which encompasses winemaking routes across 20 countries. This initiative was established by the Council of Europe and the Institute of European Cultural Routes with the goal of promoting wine heritage, fostering winemaking tourism, and supporting sustainable forms of tourism.
