President Ilham Aliyev participated at the opening of the Chinar Hotel & SPA Naftalan Compound in the city of Napftalan following its reconstruction.

Head of state cut the ribbon signaling the inauguration.

The decree signed in by President Ilham Aliyev to expand administrative territory of the city in order to develop the resort zone of Naftalan will give an impetus to the tourism development.

The commissioning of the Chinar Hotel & SPA Naftalan Compound demonstrates one of the priorities of state policy to develop new healthcare facilities, resort sites and stimulate hotel construction in Azerbaijan in recent years. The capital refurbishment of the Chinar Hotel & SPA Naftalan Compound, with the capacity of 312 persons, located in the area of 18,8 hectares, has started in May 2007. It was finalized in November 2010.

Head of state watched various composition,s painted on the reception walls of this Compound, dedicated to the history of Naftalan oil.

The polyclinics with the departments of urology, dietology, gynecology, cardiology, stomatology, therapeutics and dermatology are equipped with modern medical equipment made in Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Japan and South Korea. This compound disposes also biochemical, hematology, microbiology, immunology and serology labs, which use the most sophisticated medical equipment. The medical facility will run its activities to treat muscle, otolaryngology, children’s, urology, cutaneous, gynecological, vascular, peripheral nerve and central nerve systems’ diseases.

The President visited therapeutics, physiotherapeutic, rehabilitation and fitness centers located in SPA. While studying the Naftalan Therapeutics Center, it was reported that it has 24 baths. The main remedy is the oil of Naftalan. The Naftalan oil existing in Azerbaijan can cure many diseases. In this regard, the Naftalan therapeutics were approved a reliable treatment method in many fields of medicine.

The dormitory, consisting of single, double and family bedrooms (170 rooms in total), dispose all necessary conditions. It has also a female beauty saloon, internet club, gifts store, electric cars and bicycle renting services.

Head of state toured also the water procedures’ center, which has a pool, Turkish bath and sauna, built in line with modern standards.

Afterwards, President Ilham Aliyev met with the representatives of local community in Naftalan city.

Ilham Aliyev attended the opening of the Chinar Hotel & SPA Naftalan facility after reconstruction

Congratulating the people of Naftalan, President Ilham Aliyev said:

- Let me salute you and cordially congratulate you on the opening of the Chinar Hotel. This is a major and perhaps even historic event. You know very well that in Soviet times this building was a sanatorium where people from different parts of the Soviet Union would come for treatment. Later the building became run down and practically did not operate. But thanks to the work done, the reforms under way in our country, the stability and economic development in Azerbaijan, business people have invested their money in this building and created a beautiful hotel meeting the highest standards, a medical facility and a recreation center.

I want to repeat that the restoration of Chinar is of tremendous importance. The restoration of Chinar marks the beginning of a new period in the development of Naftalan. When I was here last time, I was frankly somewhat disappointed to see that the situation was not very good. Therefore, appropriate measures were taken and instructions issued. Over a short period of time, steps were taken to improve the town, establish and restore spa resorts, which are the main area of development for Naftalan. The Chinar Hotel meets the highest international standards. There are all the necessary facilities at the hotel, at the medical and recreation centers. Most importantly, people will be able to use the unique therapeutic Naftalan oil here and at such a wonderful level. Never before has there been such a level here. Now it is a reality and this reality has been created by the Azerbaijani state, the work carried out in Azerbaijan and the confidence of investors in the future of our country. After all, it will take a long time for the investment to start paying off. In other words, the investment will not be recovered in one, two or three years. This means that investors have full confidence that the stability and development in Azerbaijan will be continued.

This year has been announced the year of tourism in Azerbaijan, and a total of five 5-star hotels will be opened in Baku alone. These will be renowned hotel brands and their opening will attract many more tourists to Baku.

I am very pleased that in addition to Baku, wonderful conditions are being created in our districts. The Chinar hotel and medical center and the Gashalti hotel are opening in Naftalan. In other words, two beautiful hotels and a medical center are opening in one day.

Similar processes are ongoing in other districts. The Shahdag resort is being established, and this year we will mark the opening of its first hotel. In other words, this process is well under way in Azerbaijan. Alongside all the other spheres, the development of tourism is also of great significance as it will determine further development of our country.

We must make sure that the entire tourism infrastructure in Azerbaijan is like this: great level, excellent service, high quality. For the town of Naftalan, the establishment of such beautiful facilities is very important because they mean new jobs. The number of visitors to Naftalan will increase. People will be coming here not only from the CIS, but also from abroad, I am sure. I have been to different parts of the world and stayed at various hotels, and I can say with full confidence that the conditions available here are at the highest level. I am very pleased that such wonderful conditions are being created not only in the capital, but also in Azerbaijani districts. 

The Naftalan oil, as I am sure you know very well, has unique healing qualities. People living here have used these opportunities, this oil for centuries. In Soviet times, Naftalan was a famous city in the Soviet Union. Subsequently, for certain reasons, it lost its glory. This day will be crucial for the revival of Naftalan, for it to take its rightful place. The construction of these two beautiful hotels will pave the way for further development of Naftalan.

Along with that, I have issued appropriate instructions and will now tour the town. We should improve not only hotels, but also the whole town. All buildings in Naftalan must be renovated, new parks and alleys established, Naftalan must turn into a unique and beautiful place not only in Azerbaijan but also throughout the region. I am sure that in a matter of several years no city of this region will be able to match the beauty and comfort of Naftalan. I want this to happen even though Azerbaijan has many beautiful districts where new hotels are also under construction and new infrastructure projects are being implemented. But Naftalan holds a special place, and the number of visitors coming here will soon increase. Not only because of the Naftalan oil, but also thanks to the available tourism infrastructure.

I would like to repeat that the establishment of this beautiful compound is the result of the work being done in Azerbaijan. Investment, economic growth, enhancing industrial capacity, rapid development of the country are enabling us to establish such beautiful facilities that will serve the people of Azerbaijan.

I want to heartily congratulate all the people of Naftalan on this wonderful occasion. I am sure that this beautiful hotel will operate successfully and business people will invest their resources in other areas as well. Congratulations again!

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The head doctor of the Naftalan resort, Khatam Gojayev, thanked the head of state on behalf of the people of Naftalan.

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President Ilham Aliyev: Thank you very much. Thank you for your words. I first came to Naftalan three years ago and had not been here before. Not even in Soviet times. I want to say again that I certainly heard a lot about Naftalan, and here my attention was attracted by two things: beautiful nature and good town-planning. Local alleys, roads, streets, trees and parks have made a great impression on me. I saw the original beauty of the town as it were.

My second impression was not so positive. I mean the plight of the town. Run down buildings, roads, bent lampposts. The situation was extremely poor, you know that too well. These two experiences, as they say, made me think: how is it possible for a town with such beautiful scenery and climate to be in such a deplorable state. Why? It is not right.

We started to take measures and I told you that Naftalan would become an international resort. Three years on, maybe even less, we are already seeing the signs of that. And I don’t mean just the hotel, although that in itself is already a great result. I assure you that there are no facilities capable of providing the same level treatment and recreation anywhere else in the world. But if we had created only that and left the buildings and the infrastructure in a poor condition, it would be unfair to the people living here. Besides, you can’t build a beautiful facility and leave its surroundings in a deplorable state. Therefore, we approached this issue comprehensively. I want to repeat that all the buildings in Naftalan must be and are being refurbished. Old buildings are being restored, a new infrastructure is being established: gas, water and electricity lines. Currently, a great road is under construction from the highway to Naftalan. Some time ago, we restored the Ganja airport. Now foreign visitors can arrive in Ganja and then fly to other cities and countries. They can also fly to Baku. There is a comfortable road from Baku to Naftalan. Naftalan visitors can also travel to other cities of this region.

There are already two international-level hotels in Naftalan. I am sure that hotels will be built here in the future too. You mentioned that up to 70,000 people used to come here every year. I don’t know if we can ever reach that level, but I am absolutely sure that starting from next year several thousand people will be coming here. Of course, we also need to advertise these facilities. Those working here will know very well: the world should know that there is a place called Naftalan where they can not only receive treatment but also have a great time.

The present-day Azerbaijan has achieved these realities. The present-day Azerbaijan is a rapidly developing and modern country, and everything must be at a high level in a modern country. Our standards should not be any worse than the best international standards in all areas – tourism, services, infrastructure, etc.

Once again I want to say that this is the beginning of a new history of Naftalan. I am sure that in a few years we will achieve our goal, and Naftalan will become one of the most beautiful parts of the world.

Congratulations again!

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A picture was taken after the meeting.