Azerbaijan's Baku poised to become top destination

City is gaining steady momentum as a premier travel destination Oil-rich Baku, Azerbaijan may not be top of mind as a travel destination right now, but with the approach of the inaugural edition of the 2015 European Games, the largest city in the Caucasus region is poised to gain a share of the travel spotlight in the coming years.
It’s been described as the Dubai of the Caucasus region for its showy displays of wealth and luxury brand names.
And after hosting Eurovision last year and being selected to set the stage for the first ever European Games in 2015, the affluent city is gaining slow but steady momentum as a premier travel destination for the well-heeled.
Aside from the city’s unabated growth in the luxury market, Baku’s virtue lies in its historic, old walled city which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2000.
To accommodate the influx of tourists at the European Games, meanwhile, deluxe chain Swissotel Hotels & Resorts has announced plans to open a hotel and residential property in time for the main event in 2015.
Situated in a 160-meter tower, the hotel will offer 149 rooms and suites while Swissotel Living will offer 45 furnished apartments and 80 residences.
The Fairmont Baku, meanwhile, opens the doors to its latest outpost on Monday. Luxury suites at the five-star hotel offer views of the Caspian Sea and the city skyline and boast marble spa bathrooms.
Other premium hotel chains which have already established a presence in Baku include The Four Seasons, Hilton and the JW Marriott.
source: AFP