Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism

The Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism (Azerbaijani: Azərbaycan Turizm İnstitutu) was a state higher-education institution in Azerbaijan dedicated to training specialists for the tourism sector. It was established by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 13 February 2006, following Presidential Order No. 972 of 25 August 2005, and operated under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The institute was created to meet the growing demand for qualified personnel in Azerbaijan's developing tourism industry, offering programs aligned with state education standards. In its early years, the institute was led by its first rector, Jafar Mammad oglu Jafarov, who was appointed by Presidential Order No. 1556 on 5 July 2006. Under his leadership, the institute expanded its academic offerings and established itself as a key institution for tourism education in the country. The curriculum covered various aspects of tourism management, hospitality, and related fields, preparing students for careers in both the public and private sectors. On 22 December 2014, by Presidential Order No. 945, the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism was transformed into the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University (Azərbaycan Turizm və Menecment Universiteti). This reorganization aimed to broaden the scope of education to include management disciplines alongside tourism, and to offer programs at all levels of higher education. Jafarov continued as rector of the new university until 2017, when Ilham Isa oglu Madatov was appointed rector by Presidential Order on 11 September 2017. The institution remains active as the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University, operating under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (and later under the Ministry of Education as part of broader reforms). It plays a central role in developing human capital for Azerbaijan's tourism and hospitality sectors, contributing to the country's economic diversification strategy. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, and engages in research and international cooperation. Its official website, tourism.edu.az, serves as a portal for prospective students and partners.

The Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism was established by a decision of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan on 13 February 2006, based on Presidential Order No. 972 dated 25 August 2005. It was created under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism as a state higher-education institution to train personnel for the tourism sector in line with state education standards. On 5 July 2006, by Presidential Order No. 1556, Jafar Mammad oglu Jafarov was appointed as the institute's first rector. The institute began operations, offering programs in tourism and related fields. On 22 December 2014, by Presidential Order No. 945, the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism was reorganized into the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University (Azərbaycan Turizm və Menecment Universiteti), expanding its mission to provide education in both tourism and management at all levels of higher education. Jafarov was appointed rector of the new university by Presidential Order No. 976 on 30 December 2014. On 11 September 2017, by presidential order, Ilham Isa oglu Madatov was appointed rector of the university. The institution continues to operate as a state university under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism (and subsequently under the Ministry of Education), contributing to tourism education and research in Azerbaijan.

• 2017

  Ilham Isa oglu Madatov appointed rector by presidential order on 11 September 2017.

• 2014

  Presidential Order No. 945 of 22 December 2014 transforms the institute into the Azerbaijan Tourism and Management University.

• 2014

  Jafarov appointed rector of the new university by Presidential Order No. 976 on 30 December 2014.

• 2006

  Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 45 of 13 February 2006 formally establishes the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

• 2006

  Jafar Mammad oglu Jafarov appointed first rector by Presidential Order No. 1556 on 5 July 2006.

• 2005

  Presidential Order No. 972 of 25 August 2005 provides the basis for establishing the Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism.

State-run higher education institution focused on tourism and management studies, serving Azerbaijan's tourism industry workforce needs.

• Bachelor's programs in tourism and management

  Undergraduate degrees preparing students for careers in tourism and hospitality.

• Master's programs in tourism and management

  Graduate degrees for advanced study in tourism and management.

• Doctoral programs

  Research-oriented doctoral degrees in tourism and management.

1. 1Azerbaijan Institute of Tourism - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Azərbaycan Turizm və Menecment Universiteti - Wikipedia (Azerbaijani)az.wikipedia.org