President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva have attended the opening of the “Zirva” hotel which is part of the Shahdag winter and summer tourist center in Gusar.
The head of state cut the ribbon symbolizing the opening of the hotel.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Abulfaz Garayev noted that preparations for the construction of the Shahdag winter and summer tourist center began in 2006. The foundation of the center was laid in a ceremony attended by President Ilham Aliyev in September 2009. The center is located within the Shahdag national park, which is noted for clean environment, rich fauna and flora. The tourist site is situated at an altitude of 1,300-2,300 meters above sea level, while most of it is
placed 1,440-1,640 meters above sea level. The center covers an area of 2,058 hectares and will operate throughout the year.
This implementation of the project opens up opportunities for the development of mountain skiing and other winter sports in the country.
It was noted that the Shahdag winter and summer tourist center is Azerbaijan’s first ski resort. Special attention in the construction has been paid to the establishment of a new chain of hotels. The hotels already built confirm that the focus of this center, one of the biggest infrastructure projects implemented in the country in recent years, has been on compliance with international standards. The Shahdag winter and summer tourist center is of great importance
for the economic life of Azerbaijan, as the country has declared non-oil sector development its priority. Making a significant contribution to the development of tourism, it is also an important step in promoting Azerbaijan, its ancient history, culture and unique nature. All these factors further enhance the value of the Shahdag winter and summer tourist center in the global tourism industry.
It was indicated that the area around the two-storey “Zirva” hotel has been landscaped and trees planted on it.
The President reviewed the site plan. President Ilham Aliyev was informed that the "Zirva" hotel is located on the main lift base. It has 40 rooms, including three VIP ones.
While examining the hotel, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva saw that the rooms are well suited for high-level recreation of tourists.
There is a separate area for children here. Along with offices, the hotel also has cafés, restaurants, a conference room, a ski school, a medical center, a car park and leisure facilities.
The President of Azerbaijan and his wife were shown to the hotel’s balcony and reviewed the work done.
While at the conference room, President Ilham Aliyev was informed of the start of training for the hotel staff. To date, 160 local experts have been involved in the training.
Meeting with trainees, the President said:
- All the people involved in the training are young residents of the district. Make sure you study well to become good professionals, provide a good service and be successful in general.
After reviewing a VIP room, President Ilham Aliyev visited the hotel’s medical center. It was noted that it has a surgical, X-ray and dental units. There is also a separate laboratory, and offices of a physician and manipulation. The center is equipped with modern facilities to provide tourists with qualified care.
Then the President of Azerbaijan reviewed the lift base. It was noted that the base was designed for tourists coming here for two to three days. In accordance with the President’s instruction, the base has all the conditions for teaching children to ski and for entertainment.
It was indicated that cableways had been built to deliver tourists to the ski slope. The center also has a system of artificial snow, for which snow generators are installed on all slopes. The base will utilize special equipment to consolidate the snow and maintain ski-runs in the necessary condition.
It was noted that the cableway and ski slope No 2 had been commissioned in January 2011.
Then, President Ilham Aliyev and his wife Mehriban Aliyeva visited a sporting goods store created for leisure travelers. It was noted that the interests of tourists who want to engage in winter sports had been taken into account. Items in the store can both be bought and rented.
The President expressed his satisfaction with the work done at the hotel.
