AGP Executive Report

Baku Visit: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Azerbaijan for an official visit ahead of the October 15 CICA summit, bringing fresh international attention to the capital. Karabakh Tours: Around 40 travelers from 13 countries visited Jabrayil and Zangilan, seeing demining work and highway and railway construction. It is the 17th visit by an international travelers’ club to Karabakh and East Zangezur since 2021. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan showcased its year-round travel offerings in four cities across Türkiye and promoted its tourism potential in Poland. Caspian Cooperation: Five littoral countries agreed to establish a commission on the Caspian Sea’s falling water levels, with its first meeting planned in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2027.

Baku Summit: Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is due in Baku on October 15 for the CICA summit, where leaders will discuss connectivity, digitalisation and sustainable growth. Karabakh Visits: Around 40 international travelers from 13 countries toured Zangilan and Jabrayil, viewing transport construction and a demining operation as part of a wider visit to Garabagh and East Zangezur. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan showcased its year-round tourism offerings in four Turkish cities and promoted its tourism potential in Poland. Cultural Heritage: Azerbaijani carpets depicting Judaism, Christianity and Islam are on display at the Vatican Museums, bringing the country’s weaving tradition to an international audience. Caspian Coast: Five littoral states agreed to establish a commission on the sea’s falling water levels; its first meeting is planned in Azerbaijan in the first half of 2027.

CICA Summit: Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet is due in Baku on October 15 for the summit, with connectivity and sustainable growth on the agenda; he will also hold talks with regional leaders. Karabakh Visits: Around 40 travelers from 13 countries toured Jabrayil and Zangilan, viewing demining work and construction of the Horadiz–Aghband highway and railway. It is the 17th visit by an international travelers’ group to Karabakh and East Zangezur since 2021. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan showcased year-round travel offerings in four Turkish cities, while Kyrgyzstan’s president proposed a single visa for Azerbaijan and Central Asia to support regional travel.

Karabakh Tours: A 40-person group from 13 countries touring Karabakh and East Zangezur viewed construction on the Horadiz–Aghband highway and railway in Zangilan, alongside visits to the region’s heritage sites. Polish Market: Azerbaijan promoted cultural, hiking and winter trips to Polish travel professionals in Gdansk, Poznan and Warsaw. Polish arrivals rose 13.1% year-on-year in January–September; direct Warsaw–Baku flights and e-visas support access. Gabala Heritage: Israeli visitors with speech impairments explored archaeological exhibits and excavation sites at the Gabala State Historical and Artistic Reserve.

Karabakh Tourism: International travel groups visited Ganjasar Monastery and Khudavang Monastery on October 9, continuing tours of Garabagh and East Zangezur. The visits add to growing international interest in the region’s heritage sites. Visitor Interest: Israeli tourists explored Gabala’s archaeological center and excavation sites, while Azerbaijan’s tourism board reported Polish visitor numbers rose 13.1% in January–September year over year. Direct Warsaw–Baku flights and e-visas support travel from Poland. Destination Promotion: Azerbaijan showcased year-round trips—from Baku and Shaki heritage to hiking and ski breaks—to Polish travel professionals, and promoted mountain, winter and cultural experiences at seminars in four Turkish cities.

Karabakh Visits: A 40-person group of international travelers from 13 countries toured Shusha, Aghdam, Khankendi and Azykh Cave, seeing historic sites and restoration projects. It was the 17th organized visit by major travelers’ clubs to Garabagh and East Zangezur since 2021. Regional Travel: At the Central Asia–Azerbaijan summit in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov proposed joint “one trip, several countries” itineraries and a single tourist visa. Kazakhstan’s president called for a shared calendar of cultural, sporting and tourism events to encourage regional travel and attract visitors from abroad. Azerbaijan will chair the regional format in 2027. Culture on Display: Azerbaijan’s pavilion at the CIS culinary festival featured regional foods, UNESCO-recognized tea culture, carpets, crafts and mugham performances. Visa Update: Azerbaijani children under 12 qualify for a Czech Republic visa-fee waiver.

Garabagh Visits: A 40-member group of international travelers from 13 countries toured Aghdam, Khankendi, Shusha and Azykh Cave, seeing historic sites and reconstruction projects. It is the 17th visit by an international travelers’ club to Garabagh and East Zangezur since 2021. Regional Travel: At a summit in Turkmenistan, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov proposed joint Azerbaijan–Central Asia travel routes built around “one trip, several countries,” along with a shared tourist visa. Culture & Cuisine: President Ilham Aliyev visited Azerbaijan’s pavilion at Turkmenistan’s CIS National Culinary Festival, where displays featured regional food, tea traditions, crafts and mugham music. Nature & Heritage: New travel features spotlight Nij in Gabala, known for Udi heritage and historic churches, and Tokiakhil Waterfall in Lerik, reached by a mountain hike. Azerbaijan Abroad: Dubai’s Global Village opens October 14 with a refreshed Azerbaijan pavilion among its 29 cultural pavilions.

Garabagh Visits: An international group of about 40 travelers from 13 countries has begun a tour of Garabagh and East Zangezur, including visits to Albanian churches and sites undergoing restoration. Azerbaijan Abroad: Dubai’s Global Village reopens October 14 with a refreshed Azerbaijan pavilion among 29 cultural pavilions representing more than 90 cultures. Rail Connections: ADY reports passenger traffic up 19% through September and has added Baku–Tbilisi–Baku services, with four daily journeys planned. Tourism Partnerships: Azerbaijan and Greece have agreed on a 2026–28 tourism action plan, while Azerbaijan’s tourism potential was also showcased in Austria.

Cultural Tourism: Azerbaijani artisans brought kelaghayi silk scarves and kilim rugs to Istanbul’s CraftIstanbul fair, sharing the stories and techniques behind the traditional crafts. Heritage: Azerbaijan’s historic architecture and Baku’s Icherisheher were highlighted at a World Heritage Cities Festival in Mexico, with a focus on balancing conservation and tourism. Rail Travel: Azerbaijan Railways carried nearly 8.5 million passengers from January to September, up 19% year on year; more than 75,500 travelled on the international Baku–Tbilisi route. Tourism Promotion: Azerbaijan showcased its tourism potential in Austria, while Azerbaijan and Greece agreed on a tourism action plan for 2026–2028.

Azerbaijan Tourism & Culture: Azerbaijani artisans took part in Istanbul’s 7th CraftIstanbul fair, with kelaghayi headscarves and kilim rugs showcased by local makers supported by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board’s Turkey office and the Consulate General. Heritage Spotlight: Azerbaijan’s urban heritage was highlighted at Mexico’s World Heritage Cities Festival in Querétaro, with a focus on Icherisheher and the need to balance preservation, tourism, and daily city life. Rail Travel Demand: Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) reported a 19% rise in passenger traffic from January–September, with 8.5 million passengers overall and strong growth on the Absheron circular and Baku–Tbilisi–Baku route. Regional Connectivity: A World Bank-backed assessment says the Middle Corridor could quadruple Asia-Europe freight by 2040, but warns border delays and fragmented documentation still slow it down. Travel Safety Alert: Azerbaijan’s MFA reported an Azerbaijani captain killed and another citizen missing after a drone attack on a cargo vessel in the Black Sea near Romania, urging citizens to avoid unstable conflict areas and high-risk routes.

Rail Travel Boost: Azerbaijan Railways (ADY) says it carried nearly 8.5 million passengers in Jan–Sep 2026, up 19% year-on-year, with strong demand on Absheron circular routes and the Baku–Tbilisi–Baku line. World Heritage Tourism: Azerbaijan’s heritage was spotlighted at Mexico’s World Heritage Cities Festival in Querétaro, with emphasis on Baku’s historic core, Icherisheher, and the need to balance preservation with everyday city life. Cultural Diplomacy in Asia: Azerbaijan’s ashug music and national pavilions featured at Vietnam’s “Cultures of the World” festival in Hanoi, drawing attention to Azerbaijani culture through performances and exhibitions. Safety Alert for Travelers: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported a deadly drone attack on the Royad Mammadov cargo vessel in the Black Sea, urging citizens to avoid conflict zones and high-risk routes, including ships. Regional Connectivity Watch: A World Bank-backed assessment says the Middle Corridor could need $55B+ by 2040 and cut transport times significantly—key context for Azerbaijan’s travel and trade links.

Azerbaijan Travel & Tourism: Baku’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix kept the city buzzing, with 92,000 visits over the four-day event and 17,000+ international fans from 120+ countries boosting hotels, retail and services. Culture & Events: Azerbaijan’s ashug music took the spotlight in Hanoi at the “Cultures of the World” festival, with Azerbaijani performers and pavilions drawing strong interest. Regional Travel & Connectivity: Turkmenistan’s Avaza is set to host a major Central Asia–Azerbaijan summit run-up (Oct 7–9), with discussions spanning transport, trade, water, environment and culture—good news for cross-border travel planning. Travel Planning: Indian passport holders can use e-visa access in 66 countries, including Azerbaijan, easing trip logistics (rules vary by destination). Safety Alert: Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reported an Azerbaijani captain killed and another citizen missing after a drone attack on a Black Sea vessel near Romania—urging citizens to avoid high-risk routes and conflict areas.

Black Sea Travel Safety: A Turkish-owned grain cargo ship, the Royad Mammadov, sank after a fire off Romania in the Black Sea; Ukraine’s Zelensky blamed Russian drones, saying the captain died and 11 were rescued, with Azerbaijani and Indian citizens aboard. Cultural Diplomacy: Azerbaijan’s ashug music and performers took part in Vietnam’s Cultures of the World festival in Hanoi, highlighting Azerbaijani heritage to international audiences. Azerbaijan–Korea Spotlight: Azerbaijan joined South Korea’s ACC X Music Festival in Gwangju as a special guest, with a live Azerbaijani ensemble performance. Regional City Ties: Delegations marked October 5 in Kyrgyzstan’s Osh, with Azerbaijan’s Ganja city discussing cooperation in trade, culture, and tourism. Tourism Infrastructure: Azerbaijan’s wider region focus continues as Central Asia and Azerbaijan head to Turkmenistan’s Avaza for a formal summit on transport and connectivity. Travel Facilitation: Singapore published rules for its 96-hour visa-free transit, clarifying which nationalities qualify and what onward tickets are required.

Tourism & Business: More than 2,000 delegates from 183 countries are set to attend the 153rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly in Arusha (Oct 5–9), boosting demand for hotels, transport and short guided trips like Arusha National Park. Culture in Baku: Azerbaijani collector Zarifa Salakhova’s Museum of Miniature Books in Icherisheher has grown into a public display of about 8,000 tiny publications from 76 countries. Azerbaijan–Malaysia Ties: President Ilham Aliyev met Malaysia’s newly appointed ambassador, highlighting cooperation in energy, investment and tourism. Regional Transport Tech: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia are linking rail cargo via a Digital Trade Corridor platform, cutting customs clearance and reducing transit times. Azerbaijan Travel Watch: Reports say Lahore police officers escorted an Azerbaijani woman (Diana) to Baku on PIA PK-159 after an alleged assault case, with police coordination via the Azerbaijani embassy. Agritourism Support: PASHA Holding continues its “Şəhərdən Kəndə” project to expand rural tourism and boost farmers’ income across Azerbaijan.

Travel Retail Expansion: SOTC Travel opened a new sales outlet in Bistupur, Jamshedpur, its second location in Jharkhand and first in the city, boosting access to holiday packages, group tours and customized travel advice across East India. Consular/Travel Safety Update: Azerbaijani woman Diana left Lahore for Baku on PIA flight PK-159 under Pakistani police escort after an alleged assault case; police say she was supervised at the airport and accompanied by officers including a female ASP. More Returns from Lahore: A foreign woman linked to the same Lahore case was also sent to Baku on PK-159 with police escort, after special security arrangements at Lahore airport. Tourism Calendar: Baku Boulevard will host an Olive Festival on Oct 23–25 at Seaside National Park, featuring local olive products, live music and family activities. Regional Connectivity by Rail: China reported a new daily rail passenger record of 25M+ on Oct 1, with 284M trips expected during the holiday period—useful context for travelers planning cross-border routes.

Azerbaijan–Pakistan case: Azerbaijani woman Diana Baghiyeva has left Pakistan for Baku under police escort after refusing to board a flight, according to reports citing embassy-linked arrangements. The Lahore assault case continues with arrests and court remands tied to the alleged gang rape. F1 & travel ripple: Formula 1’s Bahrain GP is being held in Malaysia, with reports of major grid chaos after Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari suffered a software issue during formation laps; organizers also cite regional disruption behind the venue switch. Baku rail access: ADY increased Baku–Tbilisi–Baku services and passengers are reminded to buy travel insurance for Georgia (minimum GEL 30,000 coverage). Tourism calendar: Azerbaijan’s Olive Festival returns to Baku Boulevard (Seaside National Park) Oct 23–25, with local producers, music and family activities. Regional connectivity: Azerbaijan and Switzerland discussed transport links and tourism cooperation in Bern, while Azerbaijan’s Great Return program says 591 people were relocated to Sugovushan and Talish with schools, utilities and housing restored. Austrian push: Azerbaijan Tourism Board promoted Baku, Shaki and Silk Road experiences at Austria’s AVIAREPS roadshow, highlighting direct Vienna–Baku flights and e-visa options.