Baku:Azerbaijan is anticipated to become one of the fastest-growing international tourism destinations over the next decade, with a significant increase in foreign tourist overnight stays projected by 2036.

According to Azerbaijan State News Agency, a new study on Europe's tourism prospects, commissioned by the Accor hotel group and based on forecasts by Tourism Economics, highlights Azerbaijan as having substantial potential for growth. The report, titled 'The Changing Face of Europe's Tourism Map to 2036,' forecasts a 116 percent increase in foreign tourist overnight stays in Azerbaijan between 2026 and 2036. This growth is notably higher compared to other European countries, with Latvia, Romania, and Hungary expecting increases of 83 percent, 82 percent, and 80 percent, respectively.

The study also indicates that Europe is set to maintain its position as a major global tourism hub over the next decade. The demand for accommodation is expected to grow by 32 percent, resulting in an additional 1.6 billion overnight stays annually. International tourist overnight stays are forecast to rise by 42 percent, while domestic tourism is projected to grow by 24 percent. In 2025, Europe had welcomed 810 million international tourists, which accounted for 53 percent of global arrivals, with tourism revenues surpassing £700 billion.

Looking ahead, spending by foreign tourists in Europe is forecast to exceed £1.3 trillion by 2036, up from £825 billion in 2026. Experts attribute these trends to improved transport links, investment in tourism infrastructure, growing interest in new destinations, and expanded international travel opportunities, all of which are expected to reshape Europe's tourism market.

The report covers tourism demand across 47 European countries for the years 2026-2036 and emphasizes that these figures are projections rather than actual results.