Despite regional conflicts disrupting flights to and from Israel, there was a 139% increase in the number of Israeli tourists visiting Azerbaijan last year compared to 2024, Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board and chief advisor of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s State Tourism Agency, told The Jerusalem Post on Monday.
Israeli tourists spent NIS 184 million ($59 m.) enjoying their travels in Azerbaijan in 2025, an increase of 81% from the year prior – the largest increase compared to tourists from other countries visiting the landlocked, South Caucasus country. Israelis are also among the top 10 nationalities visiting Baku.
Israeli tourists attracted to Baku
Slowly, Israeli tourists have been attracted to the country’s capital and largest city, which lies along the Caspian Sea, with travel picking up speed since Azerbaijan opened its first Tourism Board office outside the country in Tel Aviv in 2022. As the popularity of Baku is increasing, Sengstschmid told the Post that there were plans to double the number of weekly flights taking off from Ben-Gurion Airport from 14 to 28.
Behind the rise in tourism, the tourism advisor said there were “years of trustful relations and friendship” that extended well beyond tourism.
“Israeli travelers also feel that Azerbaijanis have a big passion for Israel and for Israelis, and this does not come overnight: this comes over hundreds of years. This culture has been part of Azerbaijani daily life,” he explained, before describing the large Jewish community in the Red Village and Azerbaijan’s two active synagogues.
“When the world is kind of… upside down, and there are a lot of geopolitical tensions, Azerbaijan feels like a safe haven,” he said, noting the diverse multiculturalism valued by the country. It “feels like [a place] where people of different nationalities, different religions, discuss and talk about topics, but in a social frame, which is what makes everyone feel comfortable.”
Despite sharing borders with Iran and Russia, the regional unrest has seemingly not impacted Azerbaijan’s tourist industry, which has continued to grow, though the country saw a 1% drop in Iranian visitors last year. Azerbaijan Airlines was among the first to recommence flights to Israel while other companies chose to wait a little longer to see if the conflict had subsided. The country has also started developing its reputation as a hotspot for medical tourism, offering an alternative to Turkey for cosmetic and dental procedures.
With such clear interest, Sengstschmid explained that new efforts were dedicated to attracting young Israelis to the Land of Fire. The advertising and social media budget was increased to better spread the message that Azerbaijan is an adventurer’s dream. With multiple ski resorts, hiking spots, and extreme sports facilities, it is clear why the Federation of European Capitals and Cities of Sports named Baku as the World Sports Capital for 2026.
Israeli travelers desire - what Azerbaijan can offer
Research by the Azerbaijan Tourism Board found there is a strong match between what Israeli travelers desire and what the country can offer: a vibrant and affordable food scene, diverse shopping venues, spa complexes, and organized tours.
With beautiful architecture, scenery, arts and classical music, Sengstschmid said that Azerbaijan had a lot to offer travelers but added that the nightclubs in Baku were important not to overlook, as the energy surrounding the country’s nightlife is reminiscent of Berlin in the 80s.
The next goal, Sengstschmid said, is to see Israeli tourists extend the average length of their trips from 3-4 days and build the confidence Israeli travelers need to enjoy all of Azerbaijan, not just the capital.
With the ability to drive from one side of the country to the other in only six hours, affordable travel options and reliable public transport, Sengstschmid said he thought it was a shame more visitors weren’t yet taking the time to see the black sand beaches, the mud volcanoes, or the Hyrcanian Forests, one of the country’s five UNESCO world heritage sites.
'Off the beaten track'
“Azerbaijan is not the destination yet, where you have this confidence that you can just arrive and travel,” he admitted, but hopes that with time, and as more Israelis experience the welcoming environment, it will become one. He added that the first step was encouraging tour guides to take visitors to experience the real Azerbaijan “off the beaten track,” though he said young people liked to explore more independently.
With expanded flight options, travel influencers highlighting the country’s beauty, and more Israelis returning home with positive experiences to share, Sengstschmid predicted a 10–15% increase over the 69,124 Israeli visitors recorded last year.