WANA (Oct 23) – More than 3.55 million foreign tourists entered Iran during the first half of this year, according to the Deputy Minister of Tourism at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpey.

 

Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpey stated that the influx of tourists began strongly this year, with arrivals in April increasing by 48 percent compared to last year. However, he noted that the number of foreign visitors declined following the Israeli regime’s attack and the subsequent 12-day conflict.

 

Bandpey added that over 51 percent of Iran’s foreign tourists are religious pilgrims, mainly from Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, who primarily travel to Mashhad.

 

He further explained that, in addition to pilgrimage tourism, Iran aims to expand health and leisure tourism to attract more visitors from neighboring countries.

 

The deputy minister emphasized the need to improve services and facilities for foreign tourists, highlighting priorities such as streamlining border crossings, facilitating currency exchange at tourist centers, increasing direct flights, and enhancing border infrastructure.

 

According to Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran also hosts around 1.2 million health tourists annually, generating approximately $2 billion in revenue for the country.

 

Iran is seeking to enhance the activity of its border regions in provinces such as Kermanshah, Ilam, the three Khorasan provinces, and other border areas adjacent to neighboring countries to promote tourism and economic cooperation.

Tourists expressing their ideas about travelling to Iran/Photo by Behnam Yousefi/Social media/ WANA (West Asia News Agency)