After more than three decades of tension, relations between Azerbaijan and Armenia are gradually entering a new phase.
Following the 44-day war and Azerbaijan’s restoration of control over its territories, the region is seeing cautious signals of dialogue replacing constant confrontation. Armenian civil society representatives have visited Baku, while Azerbaijani officials have traveled to Yerevan – steps that until recently seemed unthinkable.
But how ready is society itself for such changes?
Would Azerbaijanis consider traveling to Armenia as tourists? And how do they feel about the possible arrival of Armenian tourists in Azerbaijan?
“Peace is needed, but not brotherhood”
A street survey conducted in Baku by Missiya.Az shows that public opinion remains deeply divided.
Some respondents say tourist visits could be acceptable, stressing that peaceful coexistence does not imply close relations.
“Let them come – there’s no problem with that,” one respondent said. “But we will never become brotherly nations. We are neighbors, and both sides should live calmly. The main thing is no war. We need development.”
Others expressed far more conflicted emotions.
“I think we could forgive, but they are a different people – a bad people,” another resident said. “I don’t want to go there, and I don’t want to see them here.”
A hard line: “Neither going nor hosting”
A significant number of participants rejected the idea of tourism outright – in either direction.
“This is a hostile state,” one respondent said. “I will not go there as a tourist, and I don’t want them to come here. History doesn’t allow it.”
Some emphasized that they would follow the state’s official policy, regardless of personal views.
“Whatever the state decides, we will follow,” another respondent said. “But personally, I would never travel to Armenia as a tourist, and I am completely against them coming here.”
“Only after peace – and even then, not everyone”
Others said such contacts might be possible only in the distant future, after a full normalization of relations.
“If relations are completely normalized, if people begin to communicate calmly, then maybe traveling would be possible,” one respondent noted.
Even among those taking a cautious approach, trust remains limited.
“I wouldn’t go there myself, but I’m more neutral about them coming here,” a Baku resident said. “Visiting those places would only be possible after a peace agreement is signed.”
Some voices were firmly opposed under any circumstances.
“I cannot trust them. They are our eternal enemies,” said a man who identified himself as a native of the Jabrayil district. “Have we forgotten our martyrs? Let them not come.”
“Society is not ready”
Even in the event of a formal peace treaty, many respondents doubt that tourism would be socially accepted.
“Even if an agreement is signed, even if friendly relations are established at the state level, society will not accept it,” another participant said. “Our attitude toward them will remain negative.”
Between dialogue and memory
The survey responses suggest that Azerbaijani society has not yet reached a shared view on tourism-related contact with Armenia. For some, it represents a possible step toward a peaceful future; for others, it conflicts with historical memory and personal loss.
Even as political dialogue cautiously advances, human-level interaction remains the most sensitive issue – one that, judging by public sentiment, will require time.
Full details – in the video
