Speech by Ilham Aliyev at the opening of the Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel in Baku

- Good morning. It is a very significant day in the history of our city. A beautiful and modern hotel is opening in Baku. The launch of the Jumeirah Bilgah Hotel is a significant event. The hotel is beautiful. I have just toured it. The rooms are very nice, the design is very nice. All the rooms have a great sea view. This, of course, enhances the value of the hotel. Public areas are designed with great taste. I am told there will be nine restaurants, a gym, indoor and outdoor swimming pools here. There are several nice places for holding meetings, international events and functions. I have told the head of Jumeirah Group that this hotel combines all the features of fine hotels. It is a unique and wonderful hotel designed with great taste.

Of course, the success of a hotel depends on its location. And the location of this hotel is unique. It stands on the beach, a short distance from the city. The air is very clean here. At the same time, it is close to the Heydar Aliyev International Airport – only 10-15 minutes of drive. The excellent road from Baku further improves comfort. There is an eight-lane road, and this work continues. I hope that in one year from now we will open a new road from here to Sumgayit. Now the construction of the Bilgah-Sumgayit road is well under way. In short, what I saw today is very gratifying. I am very pleased that a world-class hotel has opened in our country, in Baku, in Bilgah. The chain of Jumeirah hotels is known throughout the world. It operates hotels in various countries. I am familiar with some of them. Of course, I cannot talk about all these hotels, but I hope that this will be one of the finest Jumeirah hotels.

This year alone, three five-star hotels have been opened in Azerbaijan. Some time ago it was Kempinski, then Hilton, and now Jumeirah. The opening of three five-star hotels over the course of one year is a major event.

This shows that investors have very high hopes and confidence in the future of Azerbaijan and its tourism potential. Local and foreign investment in Azerbaijan is properly protected.

Over the past 15 years we have attracted over $100 billion in investment to our country. Last year alone it was $16 billion.

This year’s calculations are still ongoing, but I am sure that even more has been invested in our economy. Some of these funds are channeled into the tourism infrastructure.

Next year three more five-star hotels will start operating in Baku – Marriott, Four Seasons and Bermond. Thus, in the course of just two years, six world-class five-star hotels will open in one city, in Baku. I believe this is a unique event. It is unique not only for this region, but also for all post-Soviet republics and, in a broader sense, for the entire continent: six world-famous brands open their hotels in one city in a matter of two years. This shows the overall development of our country. This shows that local and foreign companies expand their opportunities to invest in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan is a great place to live and relax. Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We are making Baku beautiful. New infrastructure projects are implemented. The Old Baku is under control and is protected by the state. The restoration work in the Old City is carried out with great taste. Our beautiful boulevard has been reconstructed. A new boulevard is now under construction. After a few months we will celebrate the opening of the new boulevard. The new boulevard will extend to the Flag Square, will connect to it. To current 4-kilometer boulevard should be prolonged by the coastal promenade at least 8 kilometers long.

I repeat: Baku is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. We make Baku more beautiful, protect and love it. I am personally very pleased that such beautiful hotels are established in Baku. I should add that five-star hotels are built not only in Baku but also in other regions. One in Guba and three at the Shahdag winter-summer tourism center. The opening of these hotels will further enhance Azerbaijan’s tourism potential.

This year was declared the Year of Tourism in Azerbaijan. I am very pleased that the world’s renowned hotel chains are opening beautiful hotels and creating excellent architectural monuments in Azerbaijan in the Year of Tourism.

I want to cordially congratulate you and all the residents and guests of Baku on this wonderful event. I am confident that this hotel will work very well and provide excellent service. Our city has acquired another wonderful place for the recreation and entertainment of its residents and guests.

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on the upcoming Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis, wish you a Happy New Year and every success in your work. Thank you.