WANA (July 24) – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Ezzatollah Zarghami announced a significant 51% increase in tourist arrivals in 2023 compared to 2022. Since lifting visa issuance restrictions in November 2021, Iran has welcomed 13.895 million foreign tourists.

 

During the cabinet meeting on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, Zarghami highlighted that the country’s tourism sector had been at a standstill for 20 months at the start of the 13th administration. The primary request from tourism stakeholders was to revive tourism and visa issuance, which was successfully implemented.

 

Zarghami stated that Iran achieved three times the global average growth in tourism. In the first year of the 13th administration, following the end of COVID-19 restrictions, Iran saw the arrival of 13.895 million tourists. The year 2023 saw a 50.8% increase in tourist numbers compared to 2022.

 

The minister also noted that due to political issues with Azerbaijan, at least 1.8 million potential tourists were lost because of the closure of land borders. However, he expressed optimism that this issue would gradually be resolved.

 

Despite various countries’ anti-Iran campaigns and travel warnings, Iran experienced a rise in tourism. In the first quarter of 2024, there was a 20% increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period in 2023.