WANA (Aug 20) – The Director General for Domestic Tourism Development at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage has announced that, following the limited launch of the Grand Ferry cruise ship in Bushehr Port, another vessel is on its way to Neka Port, marking a new phase for maritime tourism in northern Iran.

 

According to Mostafa Fatemi, the Grand Ferry—purchased from Japan and fully renovated—has already begun limited operations despite not yet receiving its official license for maritime voyages, even hosting cultural festivals on board. He stressed that the ship will soon be formally launched as part of southern Iran’s growing cruise tourism capacity.

 

Fatemi also added that another cruise ship is currently being transferred to Neka Port in Mazandaran. If realized, this would make the Caspian Sea part of Iran’s “floating hotel” destinations.

 

Tourism experts believe that with access to both open waters and the Caspian Sea, Iran holds unique potential for expanding cruise travel—an experience that has already transformed tourism economies in regions such as the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and even the Maldives.

 

Iranians walk on the coast of the Persian Gulf in Bandar Abbas, Iran, May 21, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency)