Middle East 31.03.2026
Azerbaijan is Expanding Its Presence in the Russian Tourism Market
In 2025, Russian tourist flow to Azerbaijan totaled 615,000 visits, an 18% decrease year-on-year.
2026 Azerbaijan has a chance of being even more successful, stated Azerbaijani Ambassador to the Russian Federation Rahman Mustafayev, pointing to the fact that in January 2026, tourist flow from Russia had already grown by 7% year-on-year, reaching almost 43,000 visits.
According to the Ambassador, increased promotion of Azerbaijan in the Russian tourism market, the expansion of the country's tourism opportunities, and infrastructure development, including the opening of new hotels, will boost tourist flow.
Azerbaijan attracts Russians with its rich excursion offerings, diverse vacation options—from gastronomic tourism to beach and wellness - a visa-free regime, and convenient air travel, noted Jalal Ismailov, Director of Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau's Representative Office in the Russian Federation.
«In 2026, offerings will expand across all key vacation segments. For example, a new hotel, the sixth in the series, recently opened at the most popular ski resort of Shahdag. The national air company is planning new routes, tour operators are developing new programs», - said Mr. Ismailov.