TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri announced a series of major developments in regional tourism cooperation, heritage protection and tourism infrastructure at a press conference held on Tuesday at the headquarters of the Terran ministry.
Salehi-Amiri announced that Iran will discuss potential agreements with several neighboring countries, including Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Armenia, Uzbekistan and Georgia, and will facilitate or remove visa requirements for travelers. The move is part of a broader strategy to attract more foreign tourists and deepen local ties through tourism diplomacy.
Expanding regional travel partnerships
“We have entered a new phase of diplomatic engagement to boost tourism,” the minister said, adding that the initiative began in Tajikistan.
Direct flights have resumed, allowing Tajik citizens to travel beyond Mashhad to other Iranian destinations, the minister said.
“The relationship with Azerbaijan, which was once tense due to past diplomatic tensions, has also improved.”
Salehi-Amiri has reported rebounds to the number of tourists in Azerbaijan, growing from around 1,000 to 22,000 visitors over the past year. “Our goal is to restore the previous volume of 1.7 million tourists,” he noted, highlighting new presidential level engagement and recent agreements on reopening borders and expanding flight routes.
“More negotiations with Armenia, Uzbekistan and Georgia are progressing, with an emphasis on opening land routes to promote seamless travel within the region.”
Salehi-Amiri expressed her hope that visa-free corridors between neighboring countries would soon be fully realized.
Strategic engagement with Türkiye, Iraq and Egypt
The minister also discussed plans to balance the flow of Iranian tourists to Turkey by encouraging similar numbers of Turkish visitors to Iran. “We have launched a new chapter in tourism relations with Türkiye and are working closely with the Ministry of Tourism,” he said.
Regarding Iraq, Salehi Amiri raises 3,600 Iraq, particularly in the so-called “Sassanid Corridor,” a series of Persian magazines from Iran to modern Iraq, where 3.5 million Iranians and 3,600 Iraq are raising 5 million people.
Turning to Egypt, the minister explained the recent diplomatic overture aimed at restoring tourism relations. He cited strong interest among Egyptian intellectuals in strengthening bilateral relations, saying that the leadership of both countries is in line with the reopening of travel corridors. “There are a few obstacles, but they can be overcome,” he said, stressing that there is no significant barrier to Iran and Egypt’s tourism cooperation.
Wideer international outreach
China, Malaysia, Indonesia and Russia were also identified as priority markets. Salehi-Amiri pointed out that there are relatively few Chinese tourists visiting Iran, given that it projected 200 million outbound tourists from China by 2030.
Cultural projects and heritage preservation
On domestic flights, Salehiamiri addressed concerns about reported damage to the ancient site of Konasandar, a five-,000-year-old archaeological area in the Jiroft region of southeastern Iran. He provided assurance that conservation efforts were ongoing.
The minister added that the location of the Sadabad complex in Tehran will be reused in the Quran Museum. According to Salehi-Amiri, the previous location of the Koran Museum was not reachable by many potential visitors, so the relocation was decided.
Infrastructure and Investment Initiatives
The Minister outlined measures to encourage private sector investment by selling operational roles from the ministry. The Laleh Hotel Group, previously under the control of the province, will be privatized. “Our role is not to be direct management, but to be policy-making, support and oversight,” he explained.
A new agreement between the Ministry of Labor, Health and Tourism has been finalised and will soon be signed in line with the expansion of health tourism. He also highlighted the upcoming international conference on health tourism in Hamedan as an important milestone.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Minister announced a new policy that would allow the development of tourist facilities near dams, rivers and water sources under environmental regulations.
Blue Tourism and Cruise Development
Salehi-Amiri revealed that Iran is actively developing its blue tourism sector and is identifying 224 coastal sites suitable for tourism infrastructure.
For example, the first cruise ship from Kazakhstan to be caught up in the private sector arrived at Neka Port in the Caspian Sea. The 1,300 rooms take an important step towards realizing Iran’s sea-based tourist potential.
Support for tourism and crafts professionals
Efforts are also underway to expand insurance coverage for artisans and tour guides and reduce taxes on tourism-related businesses. Local governments will grant up to 80% tax exemption to build hotels under new contracts.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s decentralization policy and concluded by granting more authority to state offices and professional bodies to implement and oversee tourism development.
“By the end of Iran’s 7th National Development Plan, we aim to earn 15 million tourists and more than $15 billion in revenue,” Salehi-Amiri said.
morning