MOSCOW: Azerbaijan has inaugurated an official tourism representative office in Moscow, marking a significant step towards strengthening tourism ties with Russia. The opening ceremony was attended by high-ranking officials from both countries, including Fuad Nagiyev, Chairman of the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan, and Rahman Mustafayev, Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Russia.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the event also saw the participation of Dmitri Vakhrukov, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia, and Vyacheslav Manuylov, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Economic and International Relations of the Moscow City Government. Emin Agalarov, a prominent businessman and founder of “Agalarov Development,” joined the gathering alongside representatives from the tourism sectors of both nations.

The ceremony not only highlighted the opening of the tourism office but also facilitated discussions on potential future collaborations in tourism between Azerbaijan and Russia. The primary ai
m of the new office is to enhance cooperation with the Russian tourism industry, promote Azerbaijan’s tourism offerings, and increase marketing efforts within the Russian market.

In a testament to the growing interest in Azerbaijani tourism, data from January to September 2024 shows that 564,008 Russian tourists visited Azerbaijan, reflecting an 18% rise compared to the same period the previous year.