India

India is a key target market for tourism sector in Azerbaijan the importance of which is currently growing witnessing the rise in the number of guests, overnight stays and expenditures.

Significance for Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is an untouched destination which is very different from India. Indians appreciate Azerbaijan’s open society, hospitality, European-style cities, regular festivals and sports events. Moreover, this is a land of specific interest for Zoroastrians and Indian cuisine is also accessible. Indians can reach Azerbaijan via Doha, Abu-Dhabi, Sharjah, Dubai, Almaty, Moscow, Istanbul, Manama and Tashkent.

Main holiday periods

Indians prefer to travel abroad during festivals and long weekends, however international travel bookings are booming even for short weekend trips.

April-May  – Families with kids

October-November  – Young couples

April-May and October  – November individual travellers

November- February – Wedding couples

January-March  – honeymooners

The Indian guest

The average Indian traveller generally stays 6-8 nights, with 75% of them exploring new destinations. It is the world’s largest and fastest growing business travel market as well. Around 30-40% of Indians are vegetarians and the majority speak English.

Information sources: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TravelXP, Google, word of mouth, travel agencies, TripAdvisor.

High online usage: Facebook (30%), YouTube (30%), WhatsApp (28%), Instagram (19%), Google Plus (19%). Having such a large population has created a demand for its own social networking sites, of which there are more than 90, with their own features and purposes.

Travel decision-making: Longer trips of 7-10 days are planned at least 2-3 months in advance; shorter trips of 4-5 days are planned around longer weekends, for New Year and festival holidays.

Means of transport: 98% of transportation to reach destinations abroad is by air.

Main holiday interests: City breaks, family and children’s resorts, sports events, shopping, fun activities and beach vacations.

Activities: Sightseeing, going to Indian restaurants, night clubs, shopping, kitesurfing, hiking, off-roading, skiing and shooting.

Preferences for destination choice: Safety and security, value for money, friendly people, cold weather, easy visa procedures, English language, Indian cuisine, an excellent range of 4-5 star hotels. The majority prefer to book holidays online but some still are visiting travel agents.

Most visited places: Baku, the Absheron Peninsula, Gusar and Gabala.

Regional Manager for India

Rovshan Rahimov