Tourism has long stood as a cornerstone of Azerbaijan’s economic diversification strategy, serving both as a vital non-oil revenue source and as a platform to showcase the nation’s cultural, historical, and natural wealth. In recent years, the government has elevated sustainable tourism to the forefront of national development policy — viewing it not merely as an economic sector but as an instrument for regional revitalization, employment generation, and cultural diplomacy.

Yet, recent figures suggest that the sector is undergoing a phase of recalibration amid changing regional dynamics. Between January and September 2025, Azerbaijan hosted 230,650 tourists from Middle Eastern countries, marking a 13.4% decline compared to the same period last year. The largest share of arrivals came from Saudi Arabia with 86,882 visitors, representing an 11.4% decrease, followed by Israel (44,147, 52.5%), and the United Arab Emirates (31,785, -31.9%). Declines were also registered from Kuwait, Oman, and Egypt — countries traditionally among Azerbaijan’s strongest source markets.

The mixed results across the Middle East point to broader trends. Analysts link these........

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