TEHRAN – A total of 268 tourism projects were launched simultaneously on Wednesday through a video conference by Minister Reza Salehiriri, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Crafts.
It includes 33 hotels and hotel apartments, 98 traditional and ecotourism residences, 26 traditional dining halls, 12 tourist facilities and 99 other tourist facilities, with a total investment of 130 trillion rials (approximately $130 million) providing employment to 2,830 people.
At a ceremony held at a boutique hotel in downtown Tehran, Salehi-Amiri highly praised the investor’s efforts in the tourism sector.
Speaking to officials in Ilram, the minister said, “Ilam is one of the hearts of Iranian civilization, the heart of the state with tourism potential, warm and kind people, precious handicrafts. The state has a special position in the tourism industry, not only as a rich history and culture, but also as a host of hosts of pilgrim pilgrims.”
After launching the Kazbin Tourism Project, he said that Kazbin is a province rooted in Iranian civilization and has spectacular historical monuments such as the Saad ol Saltané complex and beautiful handicrafts. He noted that the possibility of becoming one of the most important tourist destinations in the country will be widespread. Proximity to the capital is also a strategic advantage to further increase tourism in Kazbin, he added.
The Minister also launched the Khorasan Razavi project and said that Khorasan Razavi province is the country’s main pilgrimage tourism hub and, with that, other regions of tourism have also increased significantly.
“The proper infrastructure in this state has made Mashhad a reliable centre for hosting national and international events. We expect this to be a model for other states in the country.”
After taking office with the Bush Tourism Project, he emphasized the importance of marine tourism. “Buscher is an important point in Iran’s geography. The province has great potential in maritime tourism and requires more investment in this sector. Fortunately, the private sector is also active in this sector, and a bright future awaits marine tourism in the south.”
He continued that Semnan is a state with unique tourist potential and is considered both an economic and tourist destination.
“With special status to host desert trekking and Razabi pilgrims, the state could become one of the country’s important tourism hubs. The role of the private sector in this direction is very decisive and we consider the private sector to be the driving force behind tourism development.”
Salehi-Amiri pointed out that the three northern provinces are beautiful images of Iran in the minds of domestic and foreign tourists. The launch of marine tourism projects in the northern part of the country will create a major boom in the tourism industry of these states, particularly Mazandaran, opening new perspectives in the development of national tourism, he added.
Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei also said that in the current Iranian year, $160 million was allocated to the tourism and craft sectors, while last year, $25 million was allocated.
He added: “The strategy for identifying tourism status in the governance system was important to us. Iran has an active and talented private sector in all sectors with a history of over 60,000 years. These various fields can thrive.
Mohseni Bandpei also said, “By developing ecotourism and strengthening the community, reverse migration and tourism development can be achieved. The Minister of Economy said tourism could be a driving force behind the economy of the country.
He said Iran is one of the most attractive countries in the world, adding that despite Iran’s phobia, Iran’s tourism is active in areas such as pilgrimage and health tourism.
He continued. “One other of our strategy is to promote the process and enable the use of the private sector to achieve sustainable tourism.”
KD