Azerbaijan's border authorities have reported a 43.4% rise in number of Azeri tourists to Iran during the first eight months of 2018. According to IRNA, 29.7% of Azerbaijan's total foreign trips have been made to Iran, whereas the number of Iranian travelers to the neighboring country comprises only 9.4% of its incoming tourists, marking a 25.4% decrease compared to the same period last year.
As per the report, Iran was the second destination for Azerbaijani outbound travelers. Georgia ranked first with 30.9% of total overseas trips by Azeri citizens. Russia with 19.6% and Turkey with 13.4% ranked third and fourth respectively.
Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates stood as Azeris' next most popular destinations, respectively comprising 1.6% and 1% of Azerbaijan's outgoing trips.
Data released by Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization shows that 959,000 Azeri citizens visited Iran during the last Iranian year (ended March 20), which was 2.2% lower than 981,000 during the year before.
Azeri visitors do not need visa for traveling to Iran. This could be the main reason behind the growth in the number of visits to Iran.
Azeri parliament, however, has canceled the visa-free regime for Iranian tourists. Azerbaijanis have become a considerable source of income for providers of medical services in the northeastern cities of Iran and religious cities like Qom and Mashhad. This has convinced Iranian lawmakers not to take a reciprocal action.
The Azeri government offers airport visas to Iranians through its ASAN platform, in an attempt to ease trips to the country.
Iranian airlines, namely Iran Air, Mahan Air and ATA Airlines, operate several weekly direct flights between Baku and Iranian cities.
