On October 25, the Azerbaijan Tourism Board officially inaugurated its representative office in Moscow, Russia.

The event was attended by Chairman of the State Tourism Agency Fuad Naghiyev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia Rahman Mustafayev, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia Dmitry Vakhrukov, Deputy Head of Moscow City Government’s Foreign Economic and International Relations Department Vyacheslav Manuilov, and other government officials. Founder of Agalarov Development, well-known businessman Emin Agalarov, as well as representatives of the tourism industry from Russia and Azerbaijan, also participated in the event.

During his speech, Fuad Naghiyev emphasized that the launch of the representative office marks a new stage in bilateral cooperation and will further strengthen tourism relations. He noted that tourism ties between Azerbaijan and Russia are part of long-standing economic relations, which have been further enhanced by special attention from the heads of both states. The event also included discussions on the future prospects of tourism cooperation between the two countries.

The primary goal of establishing the tourism representation is to enhance collaboration with the Russian tourism industry, promote Azerbaijan’s tourism potential, and expand information and advertising activities in the Russian market. The office will be responsible for establishing relations with tourism companies and government agencies, managing marketing and media campaigns, organizing events, and interacting with travel agencies and media representatives.

Currently, Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) and Russian carriers operate direct flights connecting various cities, ensuring seamless air travel between the two countries. From January to September 2024, the number of Russian tourists visiting Azerbaijan reached 564,008, representing an 18% increase compared to the same period in 2023.