TEHRAN—Iran and Oman discussed ways to expand cooperation in several tourism fields, especially maritime tourism and health tourism, in a meeting with Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri and Oman’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Tourism Salem bin Mohammed Al Mahrouqi.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the 26th United Nations Tourism Assembly, which opened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Sunday, Mehr News Agency reported.
Salehi-Amiri proposed three main areas of cooperation, calling for increasing direct flights between Iran and Oman from 12 to 60 weekly flights, organizing tourist car rallies and joint cultural events, and holding mutual tourism exhibitions in Tehran and Muscat to showcase the capabilities of both countries.
Foreign Minister Salehi Amiri highlighted Iran’s wide potential in medical tourism, saying: “With more than 1,000 hospitals and hundreds of thousands of doctors and specialists, Iran can provide Omani tourists with high-quality and affordable medical services. This field could become one of the main pillars of cooperation between the two countries.”
The prime minister also invited the Omani minister to attend the Tehran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition in February to gain first-hand insight into Iran’s latest tourism projects and capabilities.
Expressing satisfaction with the meeting, Foreign Minister Al-Mahrouki said: “Iran is a strategic and historical partner for us and a source of stability in the region. Relations between our two countries are based on respect and long-standing friendship, and we have always welcomed the development of cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran.”
He described the maritime tourism proposal as “sensible and practical”, noting that Oman, which has more than 40 ports and has access to three seas, is ready to sign a memorandum of understanding with Iran to develop cruise tourism and exchange maritime tourists.
Pointing out the growing interest of Omani nationals to visit Iran, Al Mahrouqi said that Iran is an attractive, safe and culturally rich destination with great potential in historical, natural and health tourism. He also supported the proposal to hold a joint tourism exhibition and cooperate in the inscription of Qanat on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
He further stated, “We are prepared to hold an Iranian health tourism exhibition in Muscat in order to make the Omani people aware of Iran’s medical and tourism capabilities.”
“Iran occupies a prominent position in the region in the field of medicine and health services.”
At the end of the meeting, the two ministers emphasized increased cooperation in maritime, health, culture and exhibition tourism, and agreed to establish a joint working group to follow up on the implementation of the agreement.
KD