Kazakhstan Joins China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as Key Drivers of Azerbaijan’s Tourism Growth
Kazakhstan has joined China, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as one of the leading contributors to Azerbaijan’s growing tourism sector, underscoring positive trends for 2025 and the years ahead.
According to Azerbaijan’s State Statistics Committee, the country welcomed 2.57 mln foreign visitors in 2025, a modest 2.1% decline year-on-year. Despite the slight decrease, the tourism sector has shown resilience, supported by strong growth from emerging and neighbouring markets, particularly in Central Asia and Asia.
Russia remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 23.9% of total arrivals, followed by Turkey with 17.7%. Other major contributors included Iran (8.1%), India (6.5%) and Georgia (4.3%). However, the most notable growth came from emerging markets, highlighting Azerbaijan’s expanding international appeal.
Visitor numbers from China rose by 41.7%, while arrivals from Uzbekistan increased by 34.3%. Tajikistan recorded a sharp 60% surge, and Kazakhstan also showed solid growth, reflecting deepening regional travel ties. Israel more than doubled its number of visitors, further diversifying Azerbaijan’s tourist base.
Officials attribute the positive dynamics to improved infrastructure, targeted tourism promotion and Azerbaijan’s growing reputation as a destination offering a blend of modern urban life, cultural heritage and natural attractions. Together, these trends point to sustained momentum for Azerbaijan’s tourism industry in 2025 and beyond.
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