What's new in Azerbaijan? | Connecting Travel

The 'Land of Fire' is currently one of the top 10 outbound destinations for GCC travellers, according to Mabrian

Azerbaijan is a country that invites you to ‘take another look’ – a multi-hyphenate destination full of surprises. It’s a nation rich in history but with a vibrant culture, that will take you skiing, hiking and slow-food tasting, from carpet museums to UNESCO heritage sites and a Formula 1 racetrack. One glance won’t be enough.

According to data collated by Mabrian, on social media, the country’s most posted-about attractions are historic Baku Old City, the striking Flame Towers skyscrapers, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, pedestrianised shopping hub Nizami Street and Baku Boulevard, home to an amusement park, yacht club, musical fountain and many statues and monuments.

For GCC countries in 2023, Saudi Arabia sat fourth in the top 10 source markets globally for Azerbaijan, behind Russia, Turkey and India, while the UAE came in eighth and Kuwait at 10th. For 2024, Saudi, UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar remain priority source markets for Azerbaijan.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE TOP 10 OUTBOUND DESTINATIONS FOR GCC TRAVELLERS IN THE FREE CONNECTING TRAVEL INSIGHT REPORT

New Attractions
Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev announced 2024 as the Green World Solidarity Year, reaffirming the country’s commitment to global climate change efforts. This year’s biggest event is COP29 (2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference), taking place in Baku from 11 to 24 November 2024.

In line with COP29, Baku will launch new Eco-Cultural Tours to shine a spotlight on the city’s national parks, as well as nature-focused and cultural attractions in Baku and the Absheron Peninsula.

Baku

The 2024 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be revving up Baku City Circuit’s F1 track for the eighth time as it returns to the city from 13 to 15 September, taking place over 51 laps of the 6,003km circuit.

Hiking is an important activity in Azerbaijan and recent new additions to the country’s hiking trails include Basgal to Lahij Village hiking route and Heydar Aliyev Mount trekking route.

A new Slow Food Great Caucasus Route has launched for foodies, covering Azerbaijan’s north-west region, taking in the delicious cities of Shamakhi, Ismayilli, Gabala, Sheki and Gakh.

Azerbaijan is home to 30% of the world’s mud volcanoes (400 in total), and the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex will open in 2024

New Hotels
Radisson Hotel Group made its entry into Azerbaijan last summer with Radisson Hotel Baku, featuring 255 rooms with a Scandinavian touch. Its prime location puts it near the waterfront Milli Park, with its 100-year-old promenade, the Opera Theatre and the Nizami and Torgovaya shopping streets.

Slated for a 2025 opening, the Crescent Development Project is a vast skyscraper complex with a five-star hotel serving up stunning Caspian Sea views, along with exclusive residences, office spaces and the much-awaited Crescent Mall.

Hilton Garden Inn, also due to be up and running by 2025, will be the brand’s first hotel in Azerbaijan, designed with business travellers in mind.

Over in the Nagorno-Karabakh region, which covers the south-eastern stretch of the Lesser Caucasus Mountain range, there are five projects under way for four- and five-star hotels in the cities of Aghdam and Shusha, which will help keep hikers happy.

Travel and tourism data intelligence provider Mabrian shared insights on Azerbaijan as an outbound destination for GCC travellers: