| State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan | |
| Native Name: | Azərbaycan Respublikası Dövlət Turizm Agentliyi |
| Formed: | April 20, 2018 |
| Jurisdiction: | Government of Azerbaijan |
| Headquarters: | Baku |
State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan is a governmental body established according to the decree of the president of Azerbaijan on the improvement of public administration in the field of culture and tourism.[1]
The agency was established on April 20, 2018, on the basis of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan.[2]
On April 21, 2018, by the presidential decree “On the new composition of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan” Fuad Nagiyev was appointed as the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency.[3]
By the decree of the president dated September 21, 2018, the structure of the agency is as following: Apparatus of State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan (divisions and sectors) and Regional Tourism Offices.[4]
By the presidential decree “On ensuring activity of the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan” dated September 21, 2018, the number of employees was determined at 55 staff units.[5]
The State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan is currently cooperating with many international organizations such as World Tourism Organization UNWTO, Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States, Organization for Democracy and Economic Development (GUAM), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and several other organizations.
Educational institutions (Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University, Baku Tourism Vocational School and Mingachevir Tourism College).[6]
Tourism Information Centers (Baku, Quba, Khachmaz, Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Qabala, Zaqatala, Ganja, Barda, Lankaran and Shaki Tourism Information Centers).[7]
Azerbaijan Tourism Board - it is a public legal entity within the State Travel Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The main goal of the organization is to strengthen the competitiveness of the country in the global tourism market by forming the tourism brand of Azerbaijan and promoting it both locally and internationally.[8]
Reserves Management Center- it is a public legal entity established under the State Tourism Agency. The Center deals with implementation of scientific, historical and cultural study and additionally preservation, development and purposeful use of elements of historical tangible and intangible cultural heritages are subordinated to the State Tourism Agency of the Republic of Azerbaijan. "Yanar Mountain" State Historical-Cultural and Natural Reserve, “Ateshgah Temple” State Historical-Architectural Reserve, Basgal State Historical-Cultural Reserve, State Historical, Architectural and Ethnographic Reserve Khinalig, Lahij Historical-Cultural Reserve, Yukhari Bash Historical-Architectural Reserve (“Caravanserai” historical complex in Sheki) and Kish State Historical-Architectural Reserve are regulated by Reserves Management Center.[9]