Kazakhstani citizens are visiting Azerbaijan more frequently

Azerbaijan saw a slight dip in international travel in 2025, with fewer locals heading abroad and a small drop in foreign visitors. Outbound trips by Azerbaijanis fell by 2.6% to 1.947 million, while tourist arrivals declined by 2% to 2.36 million from January to November. Yet, one trend stood out—a sharp rise in visitors from Kazakhstan, up by 20.3% compared to 2024.

Kazakhstanis now make up 4.1% of all foreign tourists in Azerbaijan. Their numbers surged due to better transport links, including improved rail and road connections like the Dostyk–Azerbaijan transit route. Visa-free travel and simplified entry procedures between the two countries also played a role.

Tourism campaigns and joint initiatives across Central Asia further boosted arrivals. Stronger economic ties, particularly in trade and energy, increased business travel as well. Kazakhstanis have also become the biggest spenders in Azerbaijan, outpacing visitors from the UAE, Turkey, and the UK. Beyond Kazakhstan, other countries saw significant growth in tourist numbers. Israel led with a 2.3-fold increase, followed by Tajikistan (up 1.7-fold) and Jordan (up 49.6%). China, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Japan also recorded rises of over 26%. Meanwhile, Azerbaijanis are travelling more within the region. Trips to Georgia jumped by 20.5%, while visits to Iran grew by 6.8%.

The drop in overall tourist numbers contrasts with the sharp rise in Kazakh visitors, driven by better connectivity and economic cooperation. Azerbaijanis, too, are increasingly choosing nearby destinations like Georgia and Iran. These shifts reflect changing travel patterns in the region for 2025.