Iran eyeing to boost tourism revenues
By Sara Rajabova
Iran, which enjoys diverse landscape for tourism development, is set to increase its tourism revenues.
Masoud Soltanifar, director of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said the country’s annual tourism income stands at $6-6.5 billion which should be increased, given the country’s tourism capacities.
Soltanifar also pointed to Iran’s meager 0.5 percent share of the world’s 6.5 trillion tourism income in 2013 and said it should reach 3 percent, Press TV reported.
He went on to note that Iran’s 20 year vision plan aims to attract 20 million tourists by 2025, which will earn the country a whopping $30 billion.
Iran has attached considerable significance to developing its tourism industry in recent years.
Earlier, Soltanifar called for foreign investments in the country’s tourism sector. He also added that the implementation of 900 tourism projects is currently underway in different parts of the country.
The country is seen as one of the world’s top potential tourist destinations as it holds countless ancient sites. The country is home to Asia’s fourth and the Middle East’s first largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with 17 historic sites which have been inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List.
Iran's tourism industry is booming, with more foreign travelers visiting the country than ever before. The Iranian government has recently focused on the development of the tourism sector in the country, taking steps to attract more tourists still. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani is hoping to attract 10 million international tourists each year.
For the first time in 35 years, the number of tourists who traveled to Iran is more than the number of Iranian tourists visiting other countries.
Iran’s rich nature and tourism industry offers a myriad of recreational opportunities. They range from hot mineral water showers in the northwest to hiking and skiing in the Alborz Mountains to magnificent architectural sight-seeing in the center and beach holidays in the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea.
The country also thrives on religious tourism, which is growing fast amid developments taking place in the leading pilgrimage destination, Mashhad. The majority of incoming tourists in Iran are religious tourists visiting the notable Shia shrine of Imam Reza in Mashhad.
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Sara Rajabova is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on
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