TEHRAN – QOM province will gain special status in domestic and foreign tourism within five years by expanding its infrastructure, supporting the private sector and continuing its management stability, said Reza Salehi Amiri, Minister of Cultural Heritage.
According to Isna, a bystander at the Avaye QOM Hotel’s inauguration ceremony on Wednesday, he said, “The first visit to the state’s industry and production capacity was at the Chamber of Commerce. The exhibition demonstrates the significant development of industrial, commercial and tourism infrastructure, and promises a bright future for QOM investment and economic growth.”
Referring to the opening of the recreational complex, Salehi-Amiri said: “The project will invest 11,000 square meters of area and 4.5 billion rial ($4.5 million) from the private sector, providing recreational and exhilarating space for young people and meeting some of the needs of the younger generation.”
With private investment and modern design, the Avaye QOM hotel offers 100 bed accommodation capacity and reflects the growth of the state’s tourism infrastructure, he said. The 3-star hotel creates an experience suitable for domestic and international tourists, with its architecture and regular layout, he added.
Expressing his gratitude to the QOM Governor, he emphasized that the Governor plays an important role in developing the state’s infrastructure and revitalizing unfinished projects with his detailed understanding of the tourism sector and successful experience.
He was able to transform his QOM into one of Iran’s tourist hubs by drawing domestic and foreign tourists, with his QOM having cultural heritage and handicraft capabilities. He added that it could become a major pilgrimage destination following Mashhad and Shiraz.
“Infrastructure development is essential to attract tourists. Tourists must have the right accommodation, welfare services and recreational facilities, which is impossible without private sector participation and investment.”
Regarding the government’s planning in the tourism sector, he said, according to Plan 7, a target for growth of 25-30% per year for QOM tourism has been set, and with state management and investor cooperation, this target can be achieved.
He added that the pilgrimage sites, particularly the sacred temples of Jamukaran and Hazrat Masoume (SA), have the capacity to attract millions of domestic and foreign tourists, and that infrastructure projects are working with the private sector on the path to revitalization.
Referring to statistics from last year, he said that nearly 7.4 million foreign tourists have entered the country and that plans have been followed and that the goal has been set in collaboration with the Iraqi minister to increase the number of tourists in Iraq to five million.
Salehi-Amiri revealed that the revitalization of QOM airports will allow direct entry for tourists from the Persian Gulf countries and other regions, making it a potential second destination for domestic and pilgrimage tourists.
He emphasized: “Today’s visits to industrial and tourism projects and discussions with investors demonstrate the rapid growth and concrete changes of the city, the lifestyle and architecture of QOM, which conveys a clear message of progress in the state to government.”
KD