Sports | Thursday 5 February, 2015 1:53 am |

Azerbaijan, a country at a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia will be going down in history this summer. The capital city, Baku, has been recognised for its exceptional efforts to make this event a grant triumph.1st European Games will be held in Baku from 12 to 28 June 2015, and will feature over 6,000 athletes from 50 NOCs competing in 20 sports.

They won the nomination to host the first European Games by gaining 38 out of 48 votes at the 41st international Olympic Committee General Assembly in Rome on 8 December 2012. This showcases the potential of this country to conduct any international event.

Baku's regeneration process has been flamboyant. This level of international recognition has successfully placed Baku on the map. Real estate has been flooding the city and the capital city in return has graciously welcomed luxury properties such as Jumeirah resort at Bilgah, JW Marriott, Fairmont, Fourseason, Kempenski, Hyatt Regency, Hilton, Sheraton, Ramada Hotel, Ramada Suites, Rixos in Guba, Park inn by Radisson, and Holiday Inn. Local chains such as Land Mark, Sultan in, Grand, Qafqaz, Supphire have different category of properties in Azerbaijan. By mid 2015 Baku will feature the ultra-luxury Trump International Hotel & Tower.

While the city prepares itself for the influx of visitors, the city has been listed among “Top 52 Places to Go in 2015” by the New York Times. The Lonely Planet also made Baku part of its “Ultimate party cities” list. Through the honor of hosting the first European Games Azerbaijan is projected to turn around its economy. The event has managed to rapidly raise the tourism profile of the city.

Travelling to Baku has been made easier with on arrival VISA for Arab locals and Expatriates who would be attending the 2015 European Games. Travellers from GCC could arrive in Baku in less than 2 hours 30 minutes. To ensure smooth travelling and availability of multiple options Azerbaijan Airline, Fly Dubai and Qatar Airways have direct flights to Baku. Etihad will be commencing their flight to Baku from Mid of this year.

Doha GOALS, a high level forum from Qatar which promotes ‘Sports for the Masses’ offers opportunity to promote the first ever European Games, the city of Baku, and the country of Azerbaijan to the rest of the world. The officials hopes the Games to contribute to the wealthy history of Azerbaijan as it continues to look forward to creating a reputation as a dynamic destination in a modern and inclusive Europe.” Doha GOALS – Gathering of All Leaders in Sport – was founded under the patronage of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, is an initiative designed to promote the role that sport plays as a driver for social and economic change around the world.

Baku 2015 European Games has opened a sign up page on its website baku2015.com to allow fans to register their interest in purchasing tickets for next summer’s event.
The website allows international sport lovers and supporters to receive ticketing news and all the latest updates from the Baku 2015 European Games as well as for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. 

During the course of event Tourist have the opportunity to visit The Azerbaijan National History Museum, The Heydar Aliyev Center, which is an architectural triumph, The new Carpet Museum a building that resembles a half rolled-up carpet, Maiden Tower a UNESCO Heritage site, The “New Bazaar” which is famous for tea products and Caviar, the Miniature book museum and the list goes on.

The European Games preparation has more brightened up the city streets in Baku. The City is famous for its iconic building such a as Flame tower which is completely lit with LED’s, the Heydar Aliyev Centre, Crystal Hall and so on.