BAKU, Azerbaijan, January 27. Azerbaijan has
aligned its hotel classification system with European standards,
CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board (ATB) Florian Sengstschmid said
at a Hospitality Connectivity Summit in Baku today, Trend reports.
According to him, tourism in Azerbaijan is no longer limited to
places and attractions. Today, the visitor experience is shaped by
digital connectivity as much as culture, nature, and
hospitality.
He noted that the availability and quality of connectivity
directly affect people's planned trips, decisions, movement between
places, and real-time interaction with services.
"This context is extremely relevant for Azerbaijan. In recent
years, the country has made significant progress in the field of
digital infrastructure, achieving almost universal broadband
internet coverage and advancing national digital development
initiatives. This creates a solid foundation not only for the
development of tourism but also for positioning Azerbaijan as a
reliable and competitive host for international business events,
conferences, and large global gatherings, where stable and
high-capacity connectivity is essential," the CEO explained.
Sengstschmid emphasized that hotels and event venues across the
country are implementing digital guest services and 'smart'
solutions, including to support international event organizers.
"At the same time, Azerbaijan, in cooperation with HOTREC and
the Hotel Stars Union, has aligned its hotel classification system
with European standards. Thus, digital readiness and reliable
connectivity, including Wi-Fi, across all star categories are not
considered an additional advantage but a core quality standard.
Connectivity also plays a key role in attracting digital nomads
and long-term guests, including visitors who combine business with
leisure. These segments increasingly value destinations where work,
travel, and everyday life seamlessly blend," the CEO mentioned.
He emphasized that in tourism, we aren't just counting heads at
the door. The duration of one's visit and the impact on the local
economy are two sides of the same coin when it comes to measuring
success.
"A strong digital infrastructure supports this approach and
helps to shape a more balanced tourism flow throughout the year. We
see connectivity as a strategic enabler of the competitiveness,
innovation, and sustainable development of the destination. Real
progress in this area depends on close cooperation between the
public and private sectors, as well as strong partnerships between
tourism stakeholders, technology providers, and infrastructure
operators.
Today's discussions, supported by Ookla, are an important step
towards aligning technology, infrastructure, and tourism strategy,"
the CEO added.
The Azerbaijan Hospitality Connectivity Summit is being held in
cooperation with the Information and Communication Technologies
Agency (ICTA), Ookla, Azerbaijan Hotel Association, and the
Azerbaijan Tourism Board.
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