Azerbaijan, Russia laud wide potential for development of tourism relations PHOTO

Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Fuad Nagihyev has met with Minister of Economic Development of Russia Maksim Reshetnikov.

Fuad Naghiyev said that Azerbaijan pays special attention to the development of tourism industry at the state level. He noted that in 2023, the number of foreign citizens visiting Azerbaijan increased by 30 percent compared to 2022. Noting that one third of them were citizens of the Russian Federation, the chairman of the State Agency added that there is a great potential for cooperation between the two countries in the field of tourism, AZERTAC reports.

He emphasized that the Road Map for Tourism Development between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Russian Federation for 2024-2026 signed in Baku on March 5 opens important prospects in this regard.

Fuad Naghiyev pointed out the Russian tourists’ interest in winter and ski centers in Azerbaijan on the example of Shahdag tourist center, noting the opportunities for cooperation within the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts, which also includes Shahdag and the Russian winter center Rosa Khutor.

Russian Minister Reshetnikov said that despite the fact that the pre-pandemic indicators have not been fully restored, according to statistics for 2023, Azerbaijan ranks first among the countries where Russian tourists visit. According to him, there is a wide potential for the development of bilateral tourism ties. He also pointed to the draft law, which envisages stimulation of activity of Russian tour operators organizing tours to CIS countries, and added that the bill will contribute to strengthening partnership ties with Azerbaijan.

The sides exchanged views on issues related to regular direct flights with Russia, opening of Azerbaijan's tourist representative office in Moscow, the potential of development of cruise tourism in the Caspian Sea, cooperation in the field of winter tourism, promotion of Azerbaijan's tourism opportunities in Russia, investment opportunities, marketing and advertising campaign, and organisation of reciprocal visits of representatives of the tourism industry.