Azerbaijan has won over the hearts of Indian tourists in recent years. The country is welcoming tourists from all over the globe with open arms owing to its distinct culture and top-notch hospitality. For those who are seeking a change in scenery and are tired of going to the same mainstream destinations, Azerbaijan offers a surreal experience.
The number of foreign tourists to Azerbaijan has risen substantially year-on-year. More than 1.45 million tourists visited the country in 2022 marking an 111% increase from 2021 during the same period. A total of 1.7 million tourists were welcomed in 2023 during January-October as reported by the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan. There was a great 30.3% year-on-year increase in the number of tourists in 2023.
According to a Parliament Committee member of Azerbaijan, the first two months of 2024 welcomed 341,000 tourists marking a rise of 46.7% compared to the same period during the previous year. Out of the total, 6.9% of travellers hailed from India itself.
A perfect blend of tradition and modernity, Azerbaijan has come a long way to offer its visitors an enriching experience.
Here’s how the country has become a tourist-favoured destination among Indian travellers over the years:
Direct flights from India
Travel between Azerbaijan and India is much easier and more convenient due to direct flights between the two countries. These flights run between the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Baku making connectivity easier for Indian tourists. The shortest flight duration for the Delhi to Baku flights is around 4 hours 40 minutes.
Pocket-friendly destination
Azerbaijan remains light on the pocket as well. An average trip cost for Azerbaijan from India can range between 1,00,000 to 1,50,000 INR for a week for two people. The flight tickets can range between 30,000 to 50,000 INR per person round trip.
The cost of the trip is subject to various factors such as the season you are travelling in, hotels, restaurants, activities and your spending habits. The country offers many affordable options for tourists that can be explored for a budget trip.
Safe for female travellers
There is no doubt that Azerbaijan rose to popularity among Indian tourists due to Instagram reels and internet fame. The country remains a safe travel destination for women as testified by many female solo travellers making it the perfect destination for a girls’ trip. The people of Azerbaijan are also very friendly as they welcome tourists with open arms.
Easy visa process for Indians
With the introduction of e-visa, the visa process for Azerbaijan has become easier than ever for Indian passport holders. The simplified visa requirements have made the country more accessible and favoured among Indians.
The tourist visa fee is 20 USD and the processing time is 3 working days. The application is filled out online with the required documents. The visa fee should be paid online as well after which the e-visa will be sent to your e-mail address.
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A blend of European scenery and Asian traditions
One of the major reasons why Indian tourists are favouring Azerbaijan as their recent favourite destination is that it offers a unique blend of European and Asian culture. The landscape of Azerbaijan offers a surreal Western vibe as a gateway to Europe. The culture remains highly embedded with Asian and Middle-Eastern influences.
Thus, Azerbaijan acts as a beautiful middle ground of European and Arabic traditions. Indian travellers can enjoy European vibes without burning a hole in their pockets or worrying about the complex Schengen visa obligations!
Boosting sustainable tourism
Azerbaijan Tourism Board is looking forward to developing sustainable tourism practices and activities in the country. The Board seeks to ensure that the tourist activities help to boost the local economy while safeguarding the environment. It is constantly making efforts to promote tourism that aligns with sustainability goals.
Indian-Azerbaijani Tourism Ties
The Azerbaijan Tourism Board shared its initiatives and visions regarding tourism at the South Asia Tourism and Travel Exchange (SATTE) 2024 which was held in India. 19 Azerbaijani travel partners engaged in discussions and deals with Indian representatives strengthening tourism ties between the two countries.
The board also announced a series of events in major Indian cities through a recent press conference held in Mumbai. It also introduced BRANDit as the new representative of Azerbaijan Tourism in India signifying the growing interest of Indian tourists in the country.
Azerbaijan continues to mark its position as a potential leading tourist destination within the global arena. The initiatives and projects taken up by the Tourism Board and government have surely worked out as more and more travellers are recognising Azerbaijan for its experiences.
If the trends follow, Azerbaijan will no longer remain as an off-beat destination making its way into the mainstream bucket list for Indian travellers.