Azernews.Az

By Sara Israfilbayova

Azerbaijan has become a popular tourist destination for visitors from all over the world in recent years.

With iconic landmarks such as the Flame Tower, as well as Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah Palace, included in the UNESCO’s world heritage list, it is obvious why tourists flock to this beautiful land.

During January-April of this year, 847,600 foreigners and stateless persons arrived in Azerbaijan from 182 countries, which is 13.4 percent more compared to the corresponding period of the previous year.

In January-April of this year, the growth of people visiting Azerbaijan from the Persian Gulf countries (except for Iran) was observed most. Compared with January-April last year, the number of Kuwaiti nationals who arrived in the country increased by 6.4 times, citizens of Bahrain - by 2.6 times, citizens of Qatar - by half, citizens of Saudi Arabia by 2.2 times, citizens of Oman - by 1.6 times, citizens of Iraq - 1.6 times, citizens of the United Arab Emirates - by 1.2 times. The number of arrivals from Iran decreased by 5.4 percent.

During this period of this year, the number of arrivals from EU member states increased by 12.4 percent and amounted to 32,000 people, the number of arrivals from CIS countries increased by 9.4 percent and amounted to 284,900 people.

As many as 60.6 percent of foreigners and stateless persons arrived in the country by rail and car, 38.6 percent by air, 0.8 percent by sea.

A total of 28.3 percent of the arrivals are Russian citizens, 21.9 percent are citizens of Georgia, 13.4 percent are citizens of Iran, 11.3 percent are Turkish citizens, 4.6 percent are citizens of the United Arab Emirates, two percent are citizens of Ukraine, 1.9 percent - citizens of Iraq, 16.5 percent - citizens of other countries.

About 66.8 percent of those who arrived in Azerbaijan are men, 33.2 percent are women.

In 2017, about 2.690 million tourists visited Azerbaijan, which is 20 percent more than the indicator of 2016.

Mostly Azerbaijan was visited by tourists from Russia - 853,082 people (31.6 percent of the total amount of tourists). The second and third lines of attendance are occupied by citizens of Georgia – 537,000 (19.9 percent) and Iran – 362,000 people (13.4 percent).

Turkey is on the fourth line with 301,000 tourists (11.2 percent), the first five is closed by tourists from the UAE – 102,000 people (3.8 percent).

In 2017 there was an increase in the tourist flow from Saudi Arabia (4.5 times), Oman (7.4 times), the United Arab Emirates (1.9 times), Iran (1.4 times), India (2,3 times).

Tourism in Azerbaijan is developing rapidly, and to support the flow of foreign visitors, comprehensive activities are carried out.

Azerbaijan is engaged in the efforts to diversify the non-oil economy, and tourism industry is one of the promising sectors to contribute to the achievement of this ambitious goal.

Thanks to all these, the country has improved its tourism performance in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017 released by experts of the World Economic Forum (WEF).

The country is placed 71st among the most improved economies in 2017, rising 13 spots in the global ranking.

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Sara Israfilbayova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Sara_999Is

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