Tehran – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seiedreza Salehi Amiri said 40% of the country’s population has moved to Nowruz Holidays.
According to the IRNA, he said Iran is one of the top 10 attractive countries around the world. He added that 28 organizations at Travel Services Coordination Headquarters provided services. He thanked all those involved in the tourism sector. All the government possibilities were used to help people make good trips, he added.
The Minister also said, “We are determined to serve people of all abilities and potential.”
He said that over 35 million Iranians traveled around the country during the two-week Nowruz Holidays, which officially launched on March 20, he added that he witnessed a 2.2% increase in domestic travel compared to the same period last year.
Salehi-Amiri went on to say that the Iranians have one of the greatest civilizations in the world.
“Our society has coordinated itself during the Holy Month of Ramadan and Knowles. Our society is a religious community, as it is a faithful community, as it is a civilization and cultural heritage.
He highlighted that more than 7 million foreign tourists have visited Iran based on the latest statistics. West aims to breed Iranian phobia… But when foreign tourists leave Iran, their way of thinking is different, he added.
He called attractions, security and infrastructure as the three factors behind drawing tourists.
The minister said the country’s infrastructure is not at a satisfactory level, highlighting improvements to its transport systems and accommodation facilities.
He added that bureaucracy plagues investors and that investors should feel supported by the government.
Officials said many foreign investors are currently investing in the country’s tourism sector and are supported by state officials.
He said financial sales will be easier for foreign tourists and investors.
He continued that investment is a sacred measure.
He said the priorities of attracting tourists will come to tourists from 13 countries celebrating Nowruz. He also said that pilgrims from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have begun visiting Mashhad, the sacred city of Khorasan Razabi.
One serious project on the government agenda is to pay attention to Iranians living abroad, he said, adding that it encouraged all Iranians to belong to their homeland and build further trust without considering differences. The judiciary also supports Iranians overseas, he added.
He called the handicraft sector as a lever for job generation and investment, adding that he witnessed exports worth 224 million euros in Iran last year. Taking into account the baggage trade, the total export will be 500 million euros, he said.
He said over 5.4 billion rial ($5.4 million) of handicrafts have been sold during Nowruz’s holiday.
KD