Azerbaijan is participating in the annual summit of the Pacific Asia Tourism Association (PATA), which is currently taking place in Pokhara, Nepal, from May 30 to June 2.

This significant event is focused on extensive discussions and the exploration of opportunities for the advancement of a responsible and sustainable tourism industry. Azerbaijan is represented by Mr. Florian Zengstschmid, the Chief Executive Officer of the Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau, and Mr. Mahammad Muradov, the Head of the Tourism Policy and Strategy Department of the State Tourism Agency.

Mr. Florian Zengstschmid had participated as a panel speaker during the session titled "Challenges and Opportunities for the Responsible Tourism Industry" on May 31.

The panel delved into various aspects of responsible tourism, addressing the industry's challenges and discussing potential opportunities for sustainable development.

During his address on the panel, Mr. Florian Zengstschmid emphasized Azerbaijan's commitment to the development of sustainable tourism.

He highlighted significant strides in this direction, such as the creation of sustainable tourism offerings like birdwatching and hiking routes. Moreover, he underlined Azerbaijan's increased focus on promoting environmentally friendly practices. Simultaneously, initiatives like the Slow Food project have been implemented to support the preservation of local cuisine and ancient culinary methods.

Furthermore, Mr. Mahammad Muradov, Head of the Tourism Policy and Strategy Department of the State Tourism Agency, participated in a meeting of government representatives dedicated to decision-making and shaping the future of tourism in the PATA region.

It is worth noting that PATA's annual summit serves as a prominent platform, uniting international tourism representatives from both the public and private sectors to engage in discussions surrounding the challenges and opportunities in the development of the tourism industry.

Azerbaijan is a member of PATA since 2019.