Aliyev Approves Azerbaijan Tourism Development Program for 2026-2030

Ilham Aliyev approved the State Program for the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030 on August 20, 2026. The initiative seeks to diversify the economy by increasing the tourism sector's share of non-oil and gas GDP from 7.5% in 2025 to 8.6% by 2030.

Financial targets include raising the value added generated in tourism sectors from 6.96 billion manats to 12.17 billion manats, representing a 40% real increase. The government projects that revenues from foreign spending will nearly double, rising from 3.3 billion manats in 2025 to 6.3 billion manats by 2030. Visitor targets for 2030 include 3.8 million foreign arrivals and 7.37 million domestic tourists.

To drive this growth, the program introduces a digital traveler visa subtype and expands visa-free regimes and multiple-entry electronic visas. The government also plans to expand direct air transport by launching flights to at least one new target destination annually and increasing flight frequency on existing routes by 20 times.

Additional measures focus on airfare affordability and the attraction of low-cost carriers to regional airports through incentive and compensation mechanisms for airport and ground handling fees. The program also aims for an average annual growth of 7.2% in real added value from accommodation and food services.