A scientific seminar on "Shusha's tourism potential" dedicated to the "Year of Shusha" was held at Azerbaijan University. The seminar, organized by the Department of Finance and Economics, was attended by representatives of the State Tourism Agency, Travelport, a group of faculty members of the University of Azerbaijan, heads of departments, students majoring in tourism and tourism guidance.

Head of the Department of Finance and Economics Nariman Boyukkishi said the seminar was held to ensure the implementation of the Order of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan dated January 5, 2022 on declaring 2022 the "Year of Shusha" in the Republic of Azerbaijan and the action plan of the University of Azerbaijan " Year of Shusha ". Reminding that Shusha was declared the capital of Azerbaijani culture in 2021 and the Capital of Culture of the Turkic World in 2023, the head of the department noted that many local and international events and festivals were held in Shusha after Zafar, the last of which was the V Congress of World Azerbaijanis. Noting that large-scale landscaping and construction work is being carried out in Shusha, Nariman Boyukkishi added that the tourism infrastructure in the region will be restored and modernized after the completion of a high level of security.

Nariman Boyukkishi noted that tourism specialties have been taught at Azerbaijan University for three years. The university closely cooperates with tourism companies and pays special attention to the practical support of students' theoretical knowledge gained in education.

Yusif Gasimov, vice-rector for scientific affairs of the Azerbaijan University, noted that one of the main directions of the Azerbaijani economy in the post-oil period will be the tourism sector, and the tourism potential of Shusha and Karabakh in general is quite large. In his speech, the vice-rector stressed the importance of cooperation between the tourism industry and educational institutions.

Gahraman Yusupov, a teacher at the Department of Finance and Economics, spoke about the distribution of tourism resources and historical monuments in Shusha in his report on "Tourism potential of Shusha and prospects for its use." In order to ensure the restoration, reconstruction, study, development and promotion of the city of Shusha, the "Shusha City State Reserve Office" was established by the decree of President Ilham Aliyev dated June 22, 2021. The events held in Shusha and the Cidir plain over the past year prove that great work is being done in Shusha to restore both the historical face of the city and the "spirit of Shusha."

Then, representatives of the State Tourism Agency made reports on "Shusha's tourism potential." Elshan Mustafayev, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of the Reserve Management Center, Elgun Javadov, Head of the Regional Tourism Development Sector, Arzu Tairguliyeva-Nagiyeva, Head of the Education and Training Sector, spoke on “Cooperation between State Tourism Agency and educational institutions”. They answered numerous questions of the participants and listened to their suggestions.

Travelport's Country Director for Azerbaijan Emil Bayramov and the company's trainer Etibar Mammadov briefed the seminar participants on the company's activities and presented certificates to those who successfully completed the Galileo booking system course organized by the Azerbaijan University for students majoring in tourism.

The scientific seminar ended with discussions on the topic.

Public Relations Department
29.04.2022