The favorable natural and geographical conditions of Azerbaijan’s territory have facilitated human settlement since ancient times. Ancient authors such as Herodotus (5th century BC), Strabo (64/63 BC–23/24 AD), Polybius (approximately 200–120 BC), and Claudius Ptolemy (approximately 90–160 AD) in their works provided information about Azerbaijan, its borders, geographical location, rivers, settlements, the tribes living there, and the Caspian Sea, noting that it has no connection to any other sea.
Azerbaijan is situated entirely within the Eastern Hemisphere. Spain, Greece, Türkiye, China, and Korea lie on approximately the same latitudes. Furthermore, several critical international transport routes connecting Europe to Central and East Asian countries pass through Azerbaijani territory.
Located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, the Republic has a unique geopolitical and geographical position, maintaining significant importance for international economic and cultural ties from ancient times to the present day. Azerbaijan encompasses eight of the eleven existing climate zones, with mountains covering 60% of its territory. This combination of ancient heritage and modern infrastructure attracts a growing influx of tourists. Despite a 2% year-on-year decline in tourist arrivals during the first 11 months of 2025, the robust growth observed in 2023 provides a basis for optimism regarding the current 2026 outlook. According to the monthly report of the State Tourism Agency, Azerbaijan was visited by 2,364,251 tourists from January to November 2025. This figure for the same period in 2024 was 2,412,160 people. According to the data from the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, in January-December 2023, Azerbaijan welcomed 2,086,548 tourists, marking a 30.2% increase compared to the previous year.
Azerbaijan has identified seven priority countries for the development of inbound tourism. These countries include neighboring states, Gulf countries, nations of Central and Eastern Asia, as well as European countries. These destinations are considered key targets for the sustainable development of tourism.
“Türkiye, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kazakhstan, Germany, China, and Pakistan have been identified as priority markets for Azerbaijan’s inbound tourism. To increase the influx of visitors from these countries, there are plans to expand air connectivity and implement visa-free regimes,” the Ministry of Tourism stated.
Discussing the criteria that attract tourists to Azerbaijan, the President of Azerbaijan highlighted the inaugural hosting of the Ski World Cup at the Shahdag Mountain Resort.
“We have already secured our place in the calendar of the International Ski Federation. Azerbaijan is a southern country, but the beaches are not far from here. A major developing project is the Sea Breeze project, which is also unique in its capacity, scale, and beauty. Nothing like it exists anywhere else in the world. There, in one location, hotel accommodation, entertainment, and residential areas are combined,” said the head of state. Speaking in the Parliament of Azerbaijan in December 2025, Prime Minister Ali Asadov stated that, according to macroeconomic forecasts, a 5% growth in the real GDP of the non-oil sector is expected in 2026.
With the exception of oil and gas extraction, all sectors of the country’s economy are expected to grow, according to forecasts. “In the medium term, the non-oil sector will become the leading force of our economy. While the non-oil sector accounted for 52% of GDP at the start of the Strategy’s implementation in 2022 — rising to 72% in 2025 — this ratio is projected to exceed 80% by 2029,” he added. By 2030, the tourism sector’s contribution to Azerbaijan’s Gross Domestic Product is projected to reach 11.5 billion manats (approximately 6.8 billion USD at the current exchange rate of 1.7 AZN to 1 USD). Kanan Guluzade, the Acting Head of Staff of the State Tourism Agency, stated that tourism’s share of the country’s non-oil GDP is expected to rise to 8.2%, with tourism revenues totaling approximately 7.4 billion manats. Furthermore, by 2030, employment in the tourism sector is forecast to account for 5.8% of the country’s total workforce.
This shift is further supported by the country’s remarkable natural diversity and its many pristine, untouched landscapes. The majestic vistas of the Caucasus Mountains, dense forests, rocky cliffs, and turbulent mountain rivers offer nature enthusiasts a truly unique experience. To capitalize on this, the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan has launched 20 sustainable mountain trails passing through remote highland villages, allowing travelers to discover the region’s diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
The country’s national reserves, with their rich biodiversity, possess significant potential for the development of ecotourism. These national parks serve as the most favorable natural zones for promoting ecological tourism. Currently, 12 such unique areas are operational in Azerbaijan: the Ag-Gel, Shirvan, Hyrcan, Altyaghach, Absheron, Shahdag, Goygol, Samur-Yalama, Gizilagaj, Akhar-Bakhar, and Ilisu national parks, along with the Zangezur National Park named after Academician Hasan Aliyev.
Rare species of flora and fauna found within the national parks are of particular interest. However, it is not only natural wealth that attracts visitors: mountain villages have meticulously preserved their traditional way of life, while the local cuisine and genuine hospitality remain primary draws for travelers. Ecotourism also encompasses visits to mud volcanoes; Azerbaijan is home to approximately 400 such volcanoes — nearly half of the global total. Among the world’s largest mud volcanoes, Boyuk Kanizadagh and Toraghay are located within Azerbaijani territory. Consequently, Azerbaijan is emerging as one of the most attractive destinations for both regional and international tourism.
