Speaking about the bystanders at the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, he said Iran aims to attract 15 million foreign tourists by the end of its five-year socioeconomic and cultural development plan for Grade 7.
According to the scheduled plans, annual growth rates were expected to be 25% for tourist arrivals. This is the goal achieved by the end of 1403 (ends March 20, 2025).
The minister said that in the current Iranian calendar year (starting on March 21, 2025), the projected growth was realized in the months of Falvaldin and Ordibehesht (March-May), but the process was stopped from Kordado to Moldad (June-August) as the outbreak of Israeli people prevented war against the country.
However, he added that September has shown a positive trend towards tourist arrivals.
Salehi Amiri emphasized that Iran is currently negotiating with various countries, prioritizing its neighbours, Central Asia and the Caucasus.
In the next phase, discussions with major Islamic countries such as Egypt and Indonesia are on the agenda, with countries including China, India and Russia in the future aiming to achieve this year’s goal of attracting foreign tourists.
MNA