Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan tour operators eye expansion of tourism ties with Azerbaijan PHOTO

Tourism companies from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are looking to expand their cooperation with Azerbaijan in a bid to boost mutual tourist flows, following a high-level familiarisation tour organised by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board.

Representatives of leading travel firms from both Central Asian countries visited several key destinations across Azerbaijan, including the capital Baku, as well as the historic towns of Shamakhi and Baskal. The delegation explored Azerbaijan’s tourism products, hotel infrastructure, and service offerings, with a particular focus on coastal tourism along the Caspian Sea, Caliber.Az reports, citing the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan.

A key highlight of the visit was a series of B2B (business-to-business) meetings involving more than 60 Azerbaijani travel companies and hoteliers. The meetings aimed to establish direct partnerships and promote joint tourism initiatives between the three countries.

Official statistics show a significant rise in the number of visitors from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In the first half of 2025 alone, Azerbaijan received over 68,000 tourists from the two countries — a 15% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Currently, direct flights connect Azerbaijan with four cities in Kazakhstan and two cities in Uzbekistan, further facilitating tourism growth and regional connectivity.

By Vugar Khalilov