OIC tourists constitute 43% of visitors to Azerbaijan in early 2024

Between January and April 2024, 43% of tourists visiting Azerbaijan were citizens of member countries of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

Kanan Guluzada, advisor to the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency, remarked that "in the first four months of this year, 43% of those who visited Azerbaijan were citizens of OIC member countries, highlighting the expansion of tourism ties within this organisation," Caliber.Az.

He made these comments during the 12th conference of tourism ministers on the topic "Development of a long and sustainable tourism industry" within the OIC framework, held in Khiva, Uzbekistan, from May 31 to June 2.

Guluzada emphasized Azerbaijan's significant tourism potential and noted the government's dedicated efforts to enhance this sector. He mentioned initiatives to restore tourism in Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions, recently liberated from Armenian occupation, including restoring Islamic heritage sites.

Additionally, Guluzada underscored the importance of the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), to be held in Azerbaijan in November, regarding its impact and contribution to tourism.

During the event, Dakar (Senegal) was selected as the tourism city of the Islamic world for 2025, Cairo (Egypt) for 2026, and Lahore (Pakistan) for 2027.