One out of every three tourists coming to Azerbaijan is from Russia
In the first eight months of 2026, approximately 30 percent of foreign tourists coming to Azerbaijan were Russian citizens. Russian tourists rank first among the foreigners who spend the most in the country.
In January-August 2026, approximately 30 percent of foreign tourists coming to Azerbaijan accounted for Russian citizens. According to Musavat.com, Russian guests also rank first among the foreigners who spend the most money in the country.
This means that one out of every three foreign tourists comes from Russia. Such a share indicates a strong dependence on a single market: when economic or travel conditions change in Russia, the opposite is immediately felt in Azerbaijan's hotel and catering sector.
The fact that Russian guests are ahead in both number and spending shows that on average they spend more than other foreign tourists. For hotels, guesthouses and restaurants, this means that service in Russian, familiar cuisine elements and payment options are still a priority.
For chains in Baku and regional hotels, the main question is this: while a large part of revenue remains tied to one market, what is being done to increase the share of guests coming from Gulf, European and Asian countries? For businesses wanting to soften seasonal fluctuations, this balance is important.