AZE.US
Domestic tourism has gained momentum in Azerbaijan during the extended Novruz and Ramadan holiday period, with more residents choosing to travel to regional destinations instead of going abroad.
The holiday break in the country runs through March 31, giving families several days to make travel plans. While long holidays have traditionally pushed many Azerbaijanis toward overseas trips, this year the picture has shifted.
Many travelers are now opting to spend the festive period inside the country, citing caution over rising tensions and security risks across the broader region. Some said they had canceled previously planned foreign trips and returned tickets, deciding instead to visit local destinations.
Popular choices include Guba, Sheki, Gakh, Balakan, Zagatala and the Karabakh region, with some travelers also showing interest in Shusha, Khankendi and Lachin. Others said they planned to celebrate at home first and then head to the regions for a short family break.
Tourism expert Rahman Guliyev said regional geopolitical tensions have already affected travel patterns. According to him, Azerbaijan is seeing a decline in outbound tourism to several foreign destinations, while some inbound tourist flows from the wider region have also weakened.
At the same time, he said the situation has created an opening for the domestic tourism sector. As uncertainty affects air travel and confidence in foreign trips, more people are turning to local routes seen as safer and easier to manage.
Guliyev also said Azerbaijan could benefit if part of the tourist flow that would normally go to destinations such as Dubai, Doha or Oman begins shifting toward the country instead. In his view, that could help Azerbaijan reach new visitor groups and expand its tourism base.
Experts say the next step depends on how regional hotels and tourism businesses respond. If operators in the country’s districts maintain reasonable prices and improve service quality, the current surge could turn into a longer-term gain for Azerbaijan’s domestic tourism market.