Tehran – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seiyedreza Sale Amiri called for greater cooperation between the government and the private sector to enhance tourism and handicrafts.
In a meeting with members of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee on Monday, Salehailli said the joint efforts will help expand the tourism industry, attract foreign investment and develop medical tourism.
He called the tourism industry as one of the major drivers of the national economy, Irna reported.
Also, Mostafa Mousavi, head of the Tourism Commission Committee of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, said the Chamber of Commerce, along with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, can play an important role in eliciting domestic and foreign investments.
The joint planning will allow paving the path to tourism and craft development, achieving the desired regional and global status, he added.
He also said that over 7 million tourists visited Iran last year, with most of them from neighboring countries.
He noted that the committee’s seven-year plan focuses on expanding sustainable interactions with neighboring countries and strengthening the status of the Free Zone.
Another speaker at the event, Vice Minister of Handicrafts Mariam Jalali Deckoldi said that countries like China were able to establish handicrafts in global markets by creating national brands. Iran, she added, can also achieve a valuable position in the field with its comprehensive programme, with its cultural and artistic richness.
Also, Mohammad Jahangiri, head of the Health Committee of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce Tourism Committee, pointed out the capabilities of medical tourism:
The conference concluded with an emphasis on strengthening cooperation between the private and public sectors, attracting new investments, developing health tourism and branding Iran’s handicrafts as four key axes for developing the country’s tourism industry.
KD