I am pleased to see you. It is great to be in Lankaran again. This is my 10th visit to Lankaran as president. During each visit, I attend the opening of new sites, and I am glad that the number of beautiful facilities in Lankaran is growing. I am familiarizing myself with the activities of Lankaran’s Istisu resort today. It produces an excellent impression – a wonderful recreation area and a great hotel. As you know, there was a sanatorium here in Soviet times. Images of that sanatorium are shown on this stand; it has become completely unusable and, of course, was no longer in line with modern requirements. I am glad that the new hotel, the recreation and health center meet the highest international standards. Visitors and local residents will rest here in 182 rooms, receive treatment and improve their health. The opening of this beautiful tourist site shows again that our country is successfully developing. All the regions are developing fast, wonderful world-class facilities, including tourist facilities, are emerging in the regions.
The development of tourism in Lankaran District is progressing fast. During my last year’s visit, I took part in the opening of a hotel located on waterfront. I am now told that the hotel operates at full capacity, i.e. its rooms are fully occupied. Now that we have built the Baku-Astara highway, the number of visitors to Lankaran is growing and will continue to grow. We are celebrating the opening of a beautiful hotel today.
As you know, the development of tourism in our country is progressing fast. This is a priority issue, and as a result of the measures taken in recent years, the number of visitors to our country has dramatically increased. The number of tourists increased by 22 per cent in 2016, by 20 per cent last year and by a further 6 per cent in nine months of this year. In nine months, foreign visitors have spent 1 billion manats in Azerbaijan only bank cards alone. Before the end of the year, the amount spent through bank cards will increase even more. Of course, they also spend cash, and this is huge support for the country's economy. Therefore, the attention being paid to tourism in recent years bears fruit.
There are many factors contributing to the development of tourism, and all of them are available in Azerbaijan. First of all, there is transport infrastructure. There are currently six international airports in our country. One of them is Lankaran airport, which was overhauled or, one might say, completely rebuilt on my initiative 10 years ago. Today, international flights are organized from Lankaran airport. I am informed that there are three to four flights a week. On the one hand, this provides comfort for people of the district and those living in the southern region, and on the other facilitates an influx of tourists.
The railway transport in Azerbaijan is being upgraded and new railway lines are being extended. Of course, this include the North-South transport corridor which will pass through this region. You have probably heard me saying in one of my speeches that the direction of the Baku-Lankaran railway will be changed. The railway line running along the coast will be moved to make it more comfortable and speedy. We will connect the coastal zone to the tourism infrastructure.
Highways are being built. Last month, I opened the Baku-Astara highway, a wonderful event was held. As you know, the road has become about 40 kilometers shorter, and it is one of the most beautiful roads in the world. I came from Baku to Astara along this road. It is an enjoyable drive because the road is great and smooth and has beautiful panoramic views of forests and mountains to the right and left. So people will use a more comfortable road to come from Baku to Lankaran and Astara.
Our historical monuments are an important factor developing tourism. Our rich history, culture and historical monuments are of huge interest to visitors. I believe that our excellent cuisine, including the particularly delicious dishes of the southern zone, is world-famous. Thanks to the hospitality of our people, visitors to our country feel very much at home. Of course, tourists are attracted by the overall development of the country. If Azerbaijan were not a developing country, if there were no public stability and security, tourists would not come here, of course. The events unfolding in the world today are obvious – risks and threats are growing, and tourists prefer to visit safer places. Therefore, it is no coincidence that they come to Azerbaijan. a combination of all these factors leads to the development of tourism. Of course, the construction of such wonderful recreation centers and hotels will attract even more tourists. We must now conduct extensive advertising in the world so that those living abroad get to know us better.
Health tourism is also developing in our country, and the creation of the Istisu Health Center is an important step in this direction. Several five-star hotels have been commissioned in the city of Naftalan to date. We have restored the glory of Naftalan as a tourist and health center. Diseases of the joints and internal organs are treated there. Galaalti was also a famous tourist center in Soviet times. We have now turned it into an international center where mostly renal diseases are treated. The medical center Duzdag in Nakhchivan is very good for the treatment of lung diseases. The healing waters of the Lankaran resort of hot springs will also improve people's health.
In other words, work in the field of health tourism continues. Sport tourism is developing. Shahdag has already become a world-class ski center. Tufandag, which opened shortly afterwards, is a new ski center. So tourism will develop in Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of jobs are being created in the tourism sector. I am told that this sanatorium alone will create about 250 jobs in high season, and local people will be provided with work here. More money will be invested in the country’s economy. Foreign visitors will spend money here. Therefore, I am very glad that such a wonderful tourist center is being created in Lankaran District. This is another contribution to the economic potential of Lankaran.
In general, a lot has been done in Lankaran District in recent years. First of all, we have paid great attention to infrastructure projects. I remember visiting Lankaran as president for the first time. There was almost no natural gas in the district. Today, the level of gasification not only in the city of Lankaran but also in Lankaran District has reached 95 per cent. So we have practically resolved this problem. There have always been problems with electricity. Following the commissioning of a modular power station in Astara in 2005, this problem is also being addressed. At the same time, the construction of a power station with a capacity of 80 megawatts has been completed in Astara and another 16-megawatt station in Lerik. These power plants are serving the entire region.
The problem of drinking water was resolved in Lankaran five years ago. I remember celebrating that together. Seventy-five per cent of rural roads has been reconstructed, and this process continues. Additional funds will be allocated next year. In other words, all issues related to infrastructure are being addressed. The work done is evident. More than 40 schools have been built or renovated. A modern Olympic sports center has been commissioned. We will celebrate its opening today. The first Olympic center was built in 2003. Unfortunately, the quality was not particularly high at the time, so it has become unserviceable. I issued the instruction to create the most beautiful Olympic center in Lankaran, and we will celebrate its opening today. I have already mentioned the Lankaran airport, a diagnostic and treatment center has been built, the central city hospital has been overhauled. Today we will celebrate the opening of a branch of the “Azerkalcha” Production Association. More than 100 people will be employed there. We approach these issues in a comprehensive manner, so that the development of Lankaran District goes faster. Of course, we are already thinking about the work to be done in the coming years. The fourth State Program on socioeconomic development of the regions will be adopted at the beginning of next year. All outstanding issues will be reflected in this program. I am ware of problems associated with the roofing of buildings, and we will resolve them. Our program also includes the construction of rural roads and schools. We will resolve all this so that there is not a single unresolved problem in Lankaran District. Please accept my warm greetings, congratulations and best wishes again.
