Azerbaijan to Draft a National Health Tourism Strategy: Naftalan and the Duzdag Salt Caves in Focus

President Ilham Aliyev has instructed the Ministry of Health, together with the State Tourism Agency and the Tabib medical territorial union, to draft a health tourism development strategy and action plan for 2026–2030. The move is part of the State Program for Tourism Development in Azerbaijan for 2026–2030, approved by presidential order on August 20.

What the decision covers

• A dedicated national strategy for health (medical) tourism — the first of its kind at state level
• Lead agency: Ministry of Health, with the State Tourism Agency and Tabib as partners
• Once drafted, the document will be reviewed and approved before implementation begins
• Annual progress reports on the wider tourism program are submitted to the president

Naftalan: the flagship of medical tourism

The town of Naftalan in the Goranboy district is the only place in the world where naturally occurring crude oil is used undiluted for therapeutic baths. President Aliyev has separately signed an order on the use of naftalan oil in health tourism, and the number of patients arriving from post-Soviet countries has been growing steadily. The oil baths are used to treat joint, skin and peripheral nervous system conditions.

Duzdag: the salt caves of Nakhchivan

Twelve kilometres from the city of Nakhchivan, the Duzdag Physiotherapy Centre operates inside a former salt mine, worked since the Eneolithic era; a large cave was discovered there during archaeological excavations in 1970. Patients descend to a depth of up to 110 metres, where the horizontal layout of the mine and natural ventilation keep allergen and microbe levels extremely low — conditions that make speleotherapy effective for bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, pollinosis and allergic rhinitis. A course of treatment typically lasts 10–15 days, and the on-site sanatorium includes a hotel with pools and a spa.

Beyond Naftalan and Duzdag

Other regions hold health-tourism potential too: the mud volcanoes of Absheron, the Galaalti mineral springs near Gabala, the humid subtropical climate therapy of Lankaran and Astara, and the balneological resources of Shabran. According to officials, these destinations are expected to feature alongside Naftalan and Duzdag as the future strategy takes shape.

What this means for travelers

In practical terms, little changes for tourists right now — the treatment infrastructure already existed. But a state strategy typically brings infrastructure subsidies, simplified certification for sanatoriums, and clearer guidance for foreign patients, from visa procedures to combined \"treatment plus leisure\" packages. Anyone planning a wellness trip today should factor in seasonality: naftalan baths are recommended year-round, and speleotherapy at Duzdag stays comfortable in any season thanks to the cave\'s stable microclimate — unlike the summer resorts of Gabala or Lankaran, where the best season runs from May to October.

Photo: Naftalan, Azerbaijan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, author: Ələddin.Məlikov