Azerbaijani deputy minister hails sharp rise in number of tourists from China

Azerbaijani First Deputy Minister of Economy Elnur Aliyev has said that the number of tourists arriving in Azerbaijan from China has seen a significant rise.

Aliyev made these remarks during the Azerbaijan-China (Guangdong) Economic and Trade Cooperation Conference, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

“Azerbaijan and China are poised to strengthen their tourism partnership, with new visa-free travel arrangements expected to further boost visitor numbers between the two countries. Starting from July 2024, Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports will be able to visit Azerbaijan without a visa, marking a significant milestone in bilateral relations,” he said.

Highlighting recent trends, Aliyev revealed that the number of Chinese tourists visiting Azerbaijan from January to April 2025 rose by 70 per cent compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge signals a rapidly growing interest in Azerbaijan as a travel destination among Chinese tourists.

“The agreement signed between our countries on mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders will further encourage travel and cultural exchange,” Aliyev said, emphasising the potential for expanded tourism cooperation.

By Naila Huseynova