By Azernews

By Durdana Yusifli

Nowadays, Azerbaijan is rapidly transforming into an attractive Eurasian destination and catches the attention of not only the countries in the neighborhood, but also the countries from the other side of globe more and more every day.

Russian tourism operators have shown a sharp increase in demand of visits to Azerbaijan. Analytical agency TurStat has demonstrated a rating of countries of outbound tourism from Russia in the first quarter of 2018. The rating is based on the analysis of statistics from January 1 to March 31.

The visit of Russian tourists abroad in 2018 is doubled for beach and popular destinations with excursions for tourists, as shown by the statistics of outbound tourism in 2018, according to TourStat.

Outbound tourism in the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) in the first quarter of 2018 grew by 2 percent to Kazakhstan, to Georgia - by 21 percent, to Azerbaijan by 6 percent.

Azerbaijan is on the 15th place in the TOP-20 countries Russian tourists are eager to visit in 2018.

There are several reasons why Russian tourists are headed to Azerbaijan for their vacation. Tourists are attracted to the quality of the hotel basis, the richness of excursion programs and the development of sanitary and spa complex, such as Naftalan. Most tourists believe that the hotel base in Azerbaijan does not fall behind with Europe.

Additionally, Azerbaijan is a Muslim country, but also loyal to other religions and does not forbid secular life. This is a great support for the development of tourism.

National Tourism representatives introduce the country to the world as “Land of Fire” rightfully. Azerbaijan is a country combining Western Asia with Eastern Europe.  Maybe that is one of the reasons attracting foreign tourists. Not only Baku’s Old Town, the Palace of Shirvanshahs or Maiden Tower in the capital of the country attract the tourists’ attention, but also its regions with Shaki Khans’ Palace, the fortress of “Gelersen-Goresen”, the mountain village of Laza in Gabala, or the beauty of the nature in Gusar fascinate the visitors.