Azerbaijan stepping up preparations for Chinese tourism market

Today, China is the largest outbound tourism market in the world, and Azerbaijan's share in this vast market is steadily growing, and the potential is truly enormous, Florian Sengstschmid, chairman of the Board of the Azerbaijan Tourism Board, said during the training "Preparing for the Chinese Tourism Market" held in Baku, Report informs.

"The visa-free regime between our countries is a key factor contributing to this growth. For us, this creates a unique opportunity to position Azerbaijan as a preferred destination for Chinese travelers. It is important not only to promote Azerbaijan, but also to ensure that our local partners are fully prepared to meet the specific needs of Chinese tourists," he said.

He noted that their expectations are clearly defined along the entire tourism value chain: from professional Chinese-speaking guides and convenient navigation around the country to comfortable hotels, accessible payment systems and restaurants that take into account their preferences.

“We have already taken important steps in this direction. Some hotels employ staff who speak Mandarin, UnionPay terminals are being introduced across the country, and more Chinese restaurants are opening in Baku. To consolidate these efforts in a more structured and systematic format, today we are launching the China Ready program. This program is built on our shared desire to be ready to receive Chinese tourists. The knowledge and experience gained through the China Ready program will determine how we will work with the Chinese market and ensure our long-term success,” added the chairman.