Azerbaijan Approves State Programme for Tourism Development for 2026–2030
Baku, The Gulf Observer: President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev has signed an order approving the “State Programme for the Development of Tourism in the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2026–2030,” aimed at strengthening the country’s tourism sector and enhancing its competitiveness.
The State Programme envisages the introduction of competitive tourism products to the market, improvement of management and regulatory mechanisms in the tourism sector, promotion of tourism development across Azerbaijan’s regions, and implementation of effective branding and marketing initiatives.
Under the presidential order, the Cabinet of Ministers has been instructed to submit proposals to the President on a number of measures. Within six months, it is required to prepare proposals for revising the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan “On Tourism,” based on recommendations from the State Agency for Tourism.
Within three months, the Cabinet of Ministers must also prepare proposals to revise the mechanism for issuing investment incentive certificates for tourism-related projects, taking into account the specific characteristics of tourism activities.
The Cabinet of Ministers has further been tasked with ensuring coordination of the measures envisaged under the State Programme and monitoring their implementation. It will also submit an annual report to the President on progress in implementing the programme’s measures.
The Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has been instructed to prepare, within three months, proposals aimed at increasing the contribution of air transport to tourism development and submit them to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Meanwhile, the State Agency for Tourism has been tasked with taking the necessary measures to address issues arising from the presidential order.
The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy have been instructed to take appropriate measures to ensure the allocation of the financial resources required to implement the State Programme during the annual preparation of the state budget and state investment programmes.
The Center for Economic Reform Analysis and Communications has also been tasked, under the direction of the State Agency for Tourism, with monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the measures outlined in the State Programme.
The programme is expected to provide a strategic framework for expanding Azerbaijan’s tourism potential, strengthening sectoral management and investment, and promoting the country as a competitive tourism destination through 2030.
