The number of Iranians visiting the Republic of Azerbaijan has seen a decrease in the first two months of 2018 compared with the corresponding period of last year, according to the State Statistical Committee of the country.
Iranian tourists comprise only 8% of Azerbaijan's incoming tourists, whose trips have experienced a 27% drop during the period.
This is while Azerbaijan's foreign tourism saw a 12.1% growth (with more than 627,000 visitors) during the period, IRNA reported.
Reportedly, Iran with a total of 99,000 tourists is the third country sending the largest number of visitors to Azerbaijan, after Russia with 172,000 and Georgia with 138,000. Experts predict that Iran's share in the figure will further decrease considering the recent foreign exchange challenges in Iran.
Other Side
On the other hand, 26% of the total Azeri outbound travelers (some 580,000 people) make their ways to Iran, often seeking medical services.
According to the released data, Iran is the second most popular destination for Azeri people after Georgia.
Azerbaijan, the popular destination for many tourists, attracts millions of visitors every year. The country is popular both for its archaeological and historical sites and modern facilities.
The country views tourism development as a priority in its efforts to diversify its non-oil economy.
The number of foreign nationals who arrived in Azerbaijan last year increased by over 449,000 people or 20% compared to 2016, hitting the figure of 2.6 million tourists.
In general, the number of tourists visiting the country has risen five-fold over the past 10 years.
Azerbaijan is home to 563 high quality hotels and guesthouses, with over 43,000 personnel providing travel services.
