Infrastructure Challenges and Global Potential of Iran’s Tourism
WANA (Dec 03) – Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, emphasized the importance of infrastructure in achieving Iran’s tourism goals during a brainstorming session on the export of handicrafts and carpets. He outlined the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Infrastructure Challenges in Tourism Development
The minister stated that with the current infrastructure, achieving the goal of attracting 15 million tourists annually, as set in the Seventh Development Plan, would not be feasible. He highlighted key infrastructural needs:
Hotel Capacity: Iran currently has 1,430 registered hotels, many of which are not prepared to accommodate international tourists. To address this, the government plans to build 100 new hotels each year.
Iran: Tourism in the Land of Tales Beyond the Bustling Nights
WANA (Sep 28) – Imagine one day you’re planning a trip to a country filled with visions of lively parties, crowded bars, and dancing in nightclubs. But hold on for a moment! If Iran is your destination, set aside all these notions because Iran is not a place where you’ll spend your nights in noisy […]
Transportation: To serve 15 million tourists, the country requires 550 aircraft or must implement international open-skies agreements. The current fleet of 133 aging aircraft cannot meet these demands.
Private Sector Investment: Developing infrastructure requires government support and the removal of bureaucratic hurdles to attract private investment.
The minister stressed that completing tourism projects is crucial for sustainable growth in this sector.
Crisis-stricken Iran’s tourism industry eyes new horizons
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Regional Cooperation and Market Expansion
Salehi Amiri also highlighted efforts to increase tourism interactions with neighboring countries, prioritizing the Nowruz cultural region and the Persian Gulf as target markets:
Azerbaijan: Before a recent incident, 1.8 million Azerbaijani tourists visited Iran annually, but this number has sharply declined. Recent talks in Baku aim to restore these interactions.
Iraq: Over 3 million Iraqi tourists visit Iran annually, while 7.5 million Iranian pilgrims travel to Iraq. The minister emphasized the need to balance this exchange.
Saudi Arabia: With improving relations between the two countries, Saudi Arabia has emerged as a key tourism market for Iran. Recent progress in bilateral talks has raised hopes for a new chapter in relations.
Scope of tourism in Iran
WANA (July 16) – Iran, a country with a rich cultural heritage, superb cuisine, and extensive Islamic attractions, is a dream destination for any true tourist. The country benefits from a wide range of landscapes, from seacoasts and lush green woods to towering mountains and harsh deserts. But for various reasons, this huge potential […]
Preservation of Cultural Heritage
Salehi Amiri underscored Iran’s rich cultural heritage as one of the country’s primary tourism attractions:
Iran ranks among the top 10 countries globally, with over 40,000 nationally registered sites and 55 UNESCO World Heritage sites.
He announced the preparation of 50 new dossiers for UNESCO registration and emphasized that cultural heritage is a source of national pride and social vitality.
Esfahak of Tabas Gains Global Recognition
WANA (Nov 13) – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism announced that the village of Esfahak in Tabas County, South Khorasan Province, has received global recognition as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” of 2024 by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri stated, “Today, November 13, […]
The minister firmly stated that no individual or organization has the right to interfere with historical monuments, emphasizing that preserving these sites is a national responsibility to pass them on to future generations.
A Comprehensive Approach to Tourism
Iran’s integrated approach to developing infrastructure, expanding regional cooperation, and safeguarding cultural heritage demonstrates its determination to become a leading global tourism destination.
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