The tourism and hospitality sector is playing an increasingly important role in the economy of Azerbaijan and other countries around the world. Over the past decade, the World Travel and Tourism Council has highlighted Azerbaijan is one of the fastest growing international destinations. Azerbaijan has a lot of untapped potential for socioeconomic growth through tourism, but this must be done with the future in mind, so that the industry remains sustainable as it works to help improve livelihoods, enhance quality of life, ensure ecological security, and provide social benefits to residents and tourists. Such mandates require a critical mass of research-based knowledge that will help not only create a deeper understanding of the impacts of tourism but also help the industry move forward in ways that require additional research.

The Center for Tourism and Hospitality Research is located in the Department of Economics and Management at Khazar University in Baku, Azerbaijan. It is comprised of Khazar University tourism faculty members, faculty members from Eastern Mediterranean University in Famagusta, Northern Cyprus, and well-established affiliate research scholars from across the globe. The Center facilitates collaborative grant-writing, publishing research results in international refereed journals, educational opportunities and mentorship for post-graduate students, training seminars, faculty exchanges, and international conferences.