Azerbaijan draws more Central Asian tourists as Russian, Iranian arrivals dip

Azerbaijan has recorded a notable rise in tourist arrivals from Central Asia, despite an overall dip in foreign visitors last month, according to figures released by the State Tourism Agency.

In June 2025, a total of 19,664 tourists from Central Asian countries visited Azerbaijan — a 17% increase compared to the same month last year, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

The majority came from Kazakhstan (9,946 visitors, up 11%), followed by Uzbekistan (5,093, up 17%), Turkmenistan (2,770, up 12%), Kyrgyzstan (998, up 45%), and Tajikistan (867), whose numbers more than doubled compared to June 2024.

However, the overall number of international arrivals in June stood at 237,509, representing an 11% year-on-year decrease.

Russia remained the largest source of inbound tourism, with 73,415 visitors – a drop of 11%. Turkey followed with 40,326 visitors, up 5%, while Iran accounted for 15,297, down 11% on the previous year.

By Aghakazim Guliyev