Russia and Azerbaijan top CIS "Green" Tourism Ranking

Russia and Azerbaijan have taken the lead in the 2025 CIS "Green" Tourism ranking. These countries are recognized as the most active in implementing sustainable tourism strategies.

The CIS Sustainable Tourism Development Index 2025 was presented this week during a meeting of the International Council for Sustainable Tourism Development, with Russia and Azerbaijan emerging as the ranking leaders.

"The Index serves as an indicator of tourism sustainability within the Commonwealth countries. It is an opportunity to share experience, implement best practices in sustainable tourism development, and promote ESG transformation of the tourism industry across the Commonwealth space," head of the CIS Business Center's Committee for Sustainable Tourism Development Khristofor Konstantinidi said.

The Russian Federation secured first place in the "green" tourism ranking due to its adoption of sustainable tourism principles. National methodological guidelines have been developed for implementing sustainable development mechanisms for hotels, resorts, tour operators, and municipalities.

"In Azerbaijan, a Sustainable Tourism Development Strategy is being implemented, encompassing several directions at once. These include promoting 'responsible' forms of tourism (such as birdwatching and hiking), as well as a set of measures to reduce single-use plastics in the hospitality sector and develop a national 'Ark of Taste' menu," the research materials read.

Additionally, around ten hotels in Baku operate with international sustainable tourism certifications.

Belarus rounds out the top three of the ranking, where increasing attention is being paid to developing eco-tourism - creating ecological trails and hiking routes of various lengths in natural areas.

Armenia and Kazakhstan also made it into the top five, although all CIS countries are engaged in developing sustainable tourism to varying degrees.

During the event, it was announced that there are plans to make this ranking an annual publication.