“If we analyze the comments by users of social networks from the RF on stopping selling tours to Turkey by tourist companies,” the Azerbaijani newspaper Echo reports, “it is clear that many citizens pay attention to the opportunity of spending vacations in Azerbaijan as an alternative.” “While Russia is sorting things out with Turkey, Azerbaijan must be ready for an inflow of Russian tourists,” this is the general content of comments on social networks. “Is such a turn of the situation possible? Is the country able to provide the level of Turkish tourism in the very near future?” the newspaper asks. The author of the article presents a view of the head of the inter-parliamentary group of friendship ‘Russia-Azerbaijan,’ Dmitry Savelyev. Speaking about the tourist prospects of Azerbaijan, he notes on Pravda.ru that there is no language barrier, while the climate and the natural diversity, the level of security and safety meet the highest demands. “Today the destination has great potential,” he believes. The same article states that tourism in Azerbaijan has been on the rise in recent years. The First European Games, which were held in the country, bequeathed the country an effective transport, hotel and recreation infrastructure, while the information campaign which supported the continental Olympics encouraged a growth of tourist awareness. According to the Director of the Center of Russian-Azerbaijani Friendship, Natalia Krasovskaya, providing further investment in the industry, developing economy-class hotels and appropriate information support, Azerbaijan could compete with many popular tourist destinations. It could be encouraged by cooperation with Russia in the sphere of recreation development of the Caspian Sea. Today the project is being considered by Rostourism. Cooperation with Russian regions could also be effective.
Echo also recalls that Azerbaijan is the winner of the ‘Best Tourist Destinations 2015’ contest in the nomination category Discovery of the Year by National Geographic Traveler, and it also got into the top 3 in the Gastronomic Tourism Nomination. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Russia, Polad Byulbyulogly, stressed: “Beautiful landscapes, hospitable people, tasty food and the pearl beaches of Absheron make Azerbaijan an attractive place for tourists and guests of our country.”
***
This year 1.2 million people have spent their vacations in Abkhazia, 40% more than last year, Abkhazia-Inform Agency reports, citing the Ministry for Resorts and Tourism of the republic. The number includes those who have bought tours to Abkhazia and those who visited the republic on one-day excursions to Lake Ritsa and the New Athos Cave. According to the Deputy Minister for Resorts and Tourism of the republic, Astamyr Akhba, in recent years tourists have begun spending their New Year holidays in Abkhazia actively. The republic expects tens of thousands if tourists during the New Year holidays. “We try to diversify our offers for tourists. Today we are ready to offer people who would like to see the beauties of our mountains, avia-excursions to the high-mountain village of Pskhu and flights over the Ritsinsky National Relict Park,” he told the agency. “If the weather is nice, vehicles will reach Lake Ritsa. As for minibuses and buses, they will take you to the Blue Lake and the Yupshar Mountains.” Akhba also said that concerts at the Pitsunda Cathedral will be organized during the New Year holidays. Guests of Abkhazia can visit the Botanical Gardens and the Apery in Sukhumi, the New Athos Cave, and the former summer cottages of Stalin. About 80% of the rooms in mini-hotels of Gagra, New Athos and Sukhumi have already been booked.
***
The North Ossetia Newspaper reported that the draft of the republic's budget for 2016, which was adopted by the government, has been sent to the legislative body of the republic. Now it is ready for the first reading. The priority is still expenditure on education, culture, healthcare and measures on social security of citizens. At the same time, the budget is focused on an increase of revenues and the support of business. In 2016 predicted revenues of the republican budget are 19,355.8 million rubles; while expenditures are 19,755.8 million rubles. Therefore, the predicted deficit is 400 million rubles. Financial provision and fulfillment of all social state obligations are required. The Deputy Chairman of the government of RNO-A, Alan Hogoyev, said that the tasks which were set in the May presidential orders of 2012 would be fulfilled. “The salaries of teachers, educators in kindergartens, masters at industrial training, workers in the sphere of additional education and scientists are a protected part of the budget. These salaries won’t be decreased,” Hogoyev stressed.
![November 2025 in photos: New Year at GUM, the "City of Living Stories," and autumn scenes](https://en.vestikavkaza.ru/upload2/s400xfull/2025-12-02/1764706769692f49d1538777.83780174.webp "November 2025 in photos: New Year at GUM, the "City of Living Stories," and autumn scenes")
