I spent 3 days in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, thanks to Netcore’s MarTech Global Summit. I had not really heard much about it until the decision to make that the venue for our MGS. My team said it was becoming one of the hot destinations for Indians – both for tourism and conferences. One of the influencers for our decision was the availability of non-stop flights from Mumbai and Delhi. We spent half a day doing some sightseeing around the city and understanding its history.
Azerbaijan’s economy is heavily dependent on contributions from the oil and gas sector. Baku, boasts a rich history that dates back to ancient times. Situated along the Caspian Sea, it has been a significant centre for trade, culture, and politics in the region. Its name is derived from the Persian “Badkube,” meaning “city of winds.” Throughout history, Baku has been influenced by various empires, including Persian, Ottoman, and Russian. The city gained prominence in the late 19th century with the oil boom, becoming a major hub for petroleum production. Today, Baku is known for its unique blend of modern architecture and historical landmarks, including the UNESCO-listed Old City and the Flame Towers.
Baku has joined the Formula 1 calendar with a street circuit (like Monaca, Singapore, and Melbourne). From the F1 website: “A mixture of wide and open and tight and twisty. The lonnnnng main straight along the Baku shoreline is a slipstreaming mecca, and with cars able to run three abreast into Turn 1, the action often looks more IndyCar than F1. However from there, the track loops around into the city’s narrow, winding Icheri Sheher old town, dramatically wending past Baku’s medieval city walls. As in Monaco, slightest mistakes are punished quickly and severely, while set-up wise, the teams are forced to choose between downforce for the twisty bits and less drag for the straight.” We saw the preparations in full swing for the forthcoming September race.
As we were touring the city, I could not help but think about competition for tourism dollars between countries and cities – and India’s missed opportunities. According to Wikipedia, the top nation is France with 100 million tourists in 2023. India received just over 9 million tourists in 2023. Undoubtedly, there is plenty of opportunity for growth. India has never really focused on tourism, and this is a big miss. Given its rich history and diversity, it can rank among the top 10 countries – if only we can upgrade our infrastructure faster. Many cities in India can become Bakus. While the country boasts numerous attractions, including world-renowned sites like the Taj Mahal, Jaipur’s palaces, and Kerala’s backwaters, the supporting infrastructure often falls short. Improvements in transportation, accommodation, and tourist amenities are crucial to enhancing the visitor experience. India’s states and cities need to compete to become the Baku of tomorrow.
PS: Thanks to Sanjay for my Baku photo.
