Azerbaijani city of Shusha declared 'Tourism Capital of 2026’

The Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) has declared Azerbaijan’s city of Shusha, which was liberated in 2020, as the Tourism Capital of 2026.

The declaration was made Thursday at a meeting of tourism ministers from ECO member states held in Iran’s Ardabil province.

In the fall of 2020 in 44 days of fighting, Azerbaijan liberated several cities, villages and settlements from Armenian occupation. A Russian-brokered peace agreement was subsequently signed, which is celebrated as a triumph in Azerbaijan.

It was also decided at the meeting to conduct a large-scale study on hot springs and healing waters in the member countries and to highlight them in the tourism sector.

Türkiye’s ambassador to Iran, Abdurrahman Kirlangic, said although Shusha is a city with high cultural and touristic potential, it also needs to be developed.

"On this occasion, great investments will be made in Shusha, which will be recognized by the world," he said.

He added that Türkiye's eastern province of Erzurum was also declared the Tourism Capital for the year 2025 and noted that this was "very pleasing.”