2024-04-24 10:15:34
According to statistics, almost a third of all tourists who visited Azerbaijan last year and since the beginning of this year came from Russia. Russians are attracted to Azerbaijan by the absence of a language barrier, a visa-free regime, and a convenient short flight. Moreover, the growth in tourist flow in this direction amounted to almost 30% compared to the same period last year, and, according to experts, the demand for Azerbaijani tours among Russians will continue to grow.
As Day.Az reports with reference to Trend, according to Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, Azerbaijan today ranks first among the countries where Russian tourists travel, surpassing even Turkey in popularity. And this is largely a consequence of the thoughtful policies of the leadership and the active work of the tourism business of both countries. This spring, Russia and Azerbaijan approved a road map for tourism development for the next three years. The document, signed by Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Vladimir Ilyichev and Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Fuad Nagiyev, is intended to help tour operators of the two countries intensify interaction so that tours to Azerbaijan for Russian tourists and tours to Russia for Azerbaijanis become more accessible. Among the current common tasks in the field of tourism are increasing the recognition of Azerbaijani and Russian tourism brands and their mutual promotion on national digital platforms, intensifying investment projects and joint organization of tours, in particular the development of cruise tourism in the Caspian Sea.
Much is being done to develop mutual tourism in both countries today. At the moment, Russia is considering a bill designed to stimulate the activities of tour operators organizing tours to CIS countries, and the “Tourist Card” project will soon help Azerbaijani guests travel around Russia. In addition, more and more new Russian airlines are opening regular direct flights to the capital of Azerbaijan – for example, at the end of April the first such flight of Ural Airlines will take place.
Several fundamental decisions were made at the beginning of April at a meeting in Baku between the Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan Fuad Nagiyev and the Chairman of the Committee for Tourism Development of St. Petersburg Sergei Korneev. In particular, the Association for the Support of Medical and Thermal Tourism of Azerbaijan signed an agreement with the Agency for the Development of Medical Tourism in St. Petersburg. The Azerbaijan University of Management and Tourism and the St. Petersburg Competence Center in the field of tourism and hospitality also agreed on cooperation. The discussion was primarily about Russian-Azerbaijani educational programs in the field of tourism. The visit of the Russian delegation to Baku was timed to coincide with the start of the competition “Connoisseur of Russia – Connoisseur of Azerbaijan”, the second stage of which, scheduled for November, will be held in the cultural capital of Russia, allowing students from universities in St. Petersburg and Baku to create joint tourism projects.
In addition, many marketing events for mutual promotion of tourism products are planned for the current year in both Russia and Azerbaijan: exhibitions, seminars and presentations, organization of introductory events for travel companies. The tourism opportunities of Azerbaijan, including the liberated territories, have already been presented at the recent international tourism exhibition in Moscow, and the Azerbaijani tourist center “Shahdag”, which last year joined the Eurasian Alliance of Mountain Resorts, recently took part in a festival organized by the Russian winter center “Rosa Khutor”. According to information from the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, due to the increase in the flow of Russian tourists to the republic, the activities of the Azerbaijani tourism representative office in Russia, interrupted during the pandemic, will soon resume.
According to both Azerbaijani and Russian experts, the potential for the development of bilateral tourism ties between our countries is very large, because it is based on active partnerships, deep mutual sympathy and the interest of our good neighborly peoples.
On the eve of the summer holiday season, journalists from the Russia-Azerbaijan interparliamentary friendship group, led by State Duma deputy Dmitry Savelyev, asked Muscovites and guests of the capital what they know about the tourism opportunities of Azerbaijan, and what areas of tourism in the republic interest them most.
Designer Kira says: “I was in Baku about five years ago – I perfectly charged my “emotional batteries” – it was as if I had been in a fairy tale! What they say about the oriental flavor and Caucasian hospitality is all true! We were at Fountain Square, at the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, at the Museum carpets, in Nagorny Park and Shelale Park, we climbed the ancient romantic Maiden Tower. And the greatest pleasure for me was “Little Venice” – walking canals, where you can ride a real gondola. Walking around the city was combined with shopping – there are many excellent shops! We went as tourists to see the city, but we are definitely going to return for a “beach holiday” – maybe this year.” An avid traveler, Valery, also has a lot of impressions: “We went to Azerbaijan for two weeks and it still wasn’t enough! The land of fire, the land of winds, the land of helpful people. They gave us free rides, treated us to wine, gave us discounts – because we are guests. Baku has a magnificent embankment , I really liked the Heydar Aliyev Center, the huge Flame Towers, and also the “Diamond Arm” cafe, next to which that famous “damn it!” scene was filmed, and in the very premises they put a cast on the hero Nikulin. We spent several days at the resort. Mardakan – the infrastructure, the sand, the smooth entry into the water – I liked everything – the only thing was that it was very windy.” The spouses Dmitry and Evgeniya also remember the summer on the shores of the Caspian Sea: “We went with the children to Novkhany, lived right by the sea, and we liked it, perhaps even more than in Turkey – there were fewer people, it was calmer, the sea was cleaner, reasonable prices and very many spoke Russian. People in Azerbaijan are friendly and kind, they treat Russians very warmly, they will always give advice and help.”
“Don’t limit yourself to Baku and the beaches!” Igor Vitalievich advises novice tourists. “Azerbaijan has completely unique places: mud volcanoes and rock paintings of Gobustan, the palace of the Sheki Khans, the burning mountain Yanardag, the fire temple of Ateshgah, the pink lake Masazir, the magical village of artisans Lahich, ski resorts! I visited Azerbaijan for the first time on a business trip and literally fell in love with this country! Now I have many friends there and I come to Azerbaijan more as a guest than as a tourist.”
Russians also know the famous Azerbaijani resorts: Naftalan, Galaalti and Nakhchivan. Muscovite Vera Ivanovna says: “In 2019, I rested and received treatment in Naftalan, there are famous resorts with oil baths. Very unusual sensations! They take the procedure seriously, they need tests and consultations with doctors. There was a very attentive attitude and real warmth – so not only I treated my bones, but also relieved stress.”
Student Andrey is just getting ready to go to Azerbaijan: “My friends were in Baku in the summer at a music festival that takes place right on the shore, they were delighted. This is an interesting option for a trip to the sea, so now I’m thinking of taking my girlfriend to such a festival, to have the beach, music and romance all at once.”
And, of course, almost every resident of Russia, whether he has been to Azerbaijan or not yet, remembers the rich cuisine of the republic. “In Baku it’s good to expand your horizons, to become imbued with a special oriental culture and customs,” shares Veronica from St. Petersburg. “It’s like another world, an amazing atmosphere. The city is very memorable: green, clean, well-groomed, colorful, with beautiful architecture, old and new. And also in Baku there is simply unforgettable cuisine: dolma made from grape leaves, real Azerbaijani lamb pilaf, lula kebab, delicious baklava. Perhaps this was one of my best trips, I didn’t want to leave until I cried! Sometimes I go to an Azerbaijani restaurant in Moscow.” “The best impression from the trip to Baku was the cuisine,” confirms Yegor. “There are just a lot of cafes and restaurants. We tasted sturgeon, eggplant and nut jam, fresh figs, feijoa. We brought home Azerbaijani spices.” And absolutely all Russians who have already been to Baku, when asked: “Would you go to Azerbaijan again?” without hesitation they answered: “Of course yes, and more than once!”