WANA (Apr 05) – Iran has witnessed a significant 20% increase in foreign tourist arrivals, with over 7 million international visitors entering the country in the past year, according to Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Salehi Amiri.

 

“Tourist entries are registered by official bodies at the country’s entry points, so these statistics are reliable,” said Minister Salehi Amiri. “In 1402 (2023–2024), we welcomed approximately 6.3 million tourists. This year, the figure surpassed 7 million.”

 

Iran’s Image at Odds with Western Narratives

Salehi Amiri emphasized that this surge sends a strong message to the world: Iran is a safe destination. “While Western countries continue to push their ‘Iranophobia‘ narrative and invest heavily in spreading disinformation through mass media and social platforms, our data shows a different story,” he said.

 

According to the minister, many tourists arrive with concerns over safety but leave Iran with a completely changed perspective. “Despite the psychological warfare, field surveys indicate that visitors experience a safe and welcoming environment,” he added.

 

Countering the Narrative Through Strategic Communication

Salehi Amiri called for greater investment in content creation and public diplomacy to combat false narratives. “We must work through intellectuals, influencers, civil institutions, and social media to convey the truth. It is imperative that our national broadcaster helps dismantle the dark cloud created by Iranophobia and showcases a beautiful and secure Iran.”

 

Visa Card for Tourists in the Works

In a move to ease financial transactions for international visitors, Salehi Amiri announced an agreement with the Central Bank of Iran to introduce a tourist-friendly “Visa Card” system. “Foreign tourists will be able to deposit foreign currency at the point of entry and receive a card with equivalent value to use within Iran. Upon departure, they can repurchase the remaining amount in the same currency,” he explained.

 

Regional Tourism Strategy

Outlining the ministry’s priorities for attracting tourists, Salehi Amiri identified neighboring and Nowruz-region countries as top targets. “I’ve recently traveled to Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia. Following high-level exchanges, we aim to increase tourist arrivals from Tajikistan from 8,000 to 100,000 in 1404 (2025–2026). Tajik tourists can now enter Iran visa-free, heading to Mashhad, Tehran, Kish, and other destinations.”

 

Similar visa-free policies and agreements are being pursued with Armenia and Azerbaijan, while discussions with Iraq could potentially increase the current capacity of 3 million tourists. He noted that 3.5 million Iranians visit Iraq annually for pilgrimage, with around 4 million attending Arbaeen ceremonies.

 

“Destinations like Mashhad, the northern cities, Kish, Shiraz, and Isfahan are especially popular among Iraqi tourists,” he added, mentioning that flights from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to Mashhad have resumed and are on the rise.

 

Expanding Beyond the Region

After neighboring countries, Iran aims to attract visitors from the Persian Gulf region, including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar. Islamic countries from Egypt to Indonesia are also on the ministry’s radar, with official invitations extended to tourism ministers. “Our goal is to make the presence of international tourists visible in every city and province of Iran,” Salehi Amiri concluded.