We often think of economic strength in terms of factories, pipelines, and trade deals. But sometimes, growth arrives on foot, carrying a suitcase and a camera. In the case of Azerbaijan, the remarkable rise in regional tourism — particularly from member states of the Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) — is emerging as a quiet but potent driver of the national economy.

Tourism has long been considered a soft contributor to GDP, often viewed as seasonal, vulnerable, and secondary. But Azerbaijan is beginning to challenge that narrative. In the first five months of this year, over 161,000 visitors from ECO countries travelled to Azerbaijan, a significant increase over the same period last year. These visitors didn’t just come to see; they came to spend. The result? A 22% jump in tourism revenue from the ECO region alone, totalling more than 265 million manats.

That figure may sound modest compared to oil exports or infrastructure budgets, but it matters — not only for what it represents but for where it goes. Unlike resource wealth, which flows through centralised channels, tourism income is more diffused. It filters down to taxi drivers, hotel clerks, family-run restaurants, and artisans in small towns. In this sense, tourism is not only an economic input — it is a democratizing force.

The spending patterns are also telling. Most of the money from tourists from ECO member states has gone toward transportation and accommodation. That means more bookings for regional airlines, fuller hotel rooms in Ganja, Gabala, and Baku, and steady work for travel operators.........

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