The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a technical assistance grant under the regional initiative “Sustainable Tourism and Trade in Services”, aimed at supporting digital transformation and sustainable tourism development across ten countries, including Azerbaijan, Report said, citing the ADB.
Alongside Azerbaijan, the project covers Georgia, China, Pakistan, Mongolia, and several Central Asian nations. The ADB will allocate $550,000 through its Technical Assistance Special Fund to help participating countries modernize their tourism and service sectors.
According to the ADB, the program seeks to remove barriers hindering tourism growth by promoting digital innovation and sustainability-oriented policies. The initiative is expected to enhance tourism’s contribution to regional trade and economic diversification.
“The goal of the project is to strengthen trade in services by focusing on tourism and digital solutions within the CAREC region,” the bank said.
“It promotes smart, green, and inclusive digital tools while fostering a tourist-friendly environment, improving cross-border connectivity, and accelerating the sector’s digital transformation.”
The ADB noted that the project will introduce eco-friendly and digital solutions to make the regional tourism industry more competitive and resilient, helping to create seamless and culturally enriching travel experiences.
These efforts build on previous ADB initiatives and reflect the commitment of CAREC (Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation) member countries to regional integration and the implementation of the CAREC Tourism Strategy and Action Plan.
Despite its vast potential in cultural, natural, and cross-border tourism, the ADB said, the region’s progress remains constrained by low levels of digitalization, weak institutional coordination, and inefficient border procedures. The new project aims to address these challenges while advancing green trade and climate-resilient solutions under the CAREC Integrated Trade Agenda 2030.
The initiative is expected to lead to the expansion and digitalization of smart, sustainable, and inclusive service trade, particularly in tourism, while providing support to national institutions responsible for tourism policy and coordination.
The project is scheduled for completion by December 31, 2030.
Azerbaijan has been a member of the ADB since 1999. Over that period, the bank has invested about $5.6 billion in the country – including $4.4 billion in the public sector and $1.2 billion in private projects. The largest portions of funding were directed to the transport ($1.5 billion) and energy ($1.7 billion) sectors.
Founded in 1966 and headquartered in Manila, the Philippines, the ADB currently has 69 member countries, including 50 from the Asia-Pacific region.
