AZE.US
Foreign visitors spent 1.554 billion manats, or approximately $914 million, in Azerbaijan during the first seven months of 2026, an 18.3% decline from the same period last year.
The country received around 349 million manats, or $205 million, less in visitor spending year over year.
Azerbaijan welcomed 1.343 million foreigners and stateless persons from 191 countries between January and July, according to tourism data published by the State Statistical Committee.
Arrivals declined by 9.2%, meaning visitor spending fell almost twice as fast as the number of arrivals.
AZE.US calculations indicate that average spending declined to approximately 1,157 manats, or $681, per visitor. The comparable figure a year earlier was about 1,286 manats, or $756 – a decline of roughly 10%.
Hotel and Transportation Spending Drops
Transportation remained the largest category, attracting 699.1 million manats, or $411 million. That was 20.1% below the previous year’s level.
Spending on accommodation fell particularly sharply:
- Accommodation: 285.47 million manats, down 27.4%
- Food: 289.72 million manats, down 17.5%
- Cultural services: 9.47 million manats, down 15.7%
- Sports and entertainment: 13.24 million manats, up 13.1%
- Goods and gifts: 192.9 million manats, up 2.8%
Visitors from Russia remained the largest source of tourism spending, contributing 492.03 million manats, or $289 million, despite a 7.9% decline.
Spending by Turkish visitors fell 10.3% to 177.41 million manats, or $104 million. Kazakhstan was one of the few markets to record growth, with spending rising 2% to 85 million manats, or $50 million.
The figures show that Azerbaijan’s tourism challenge extends beyond attracting more visitors.
Lower spending per arrival is also placing pressure on hotels, restaurants, transportation companies and other tourism-related businesses.
AZE.US