TEHRAN – Iran will be taking part in China’s Guangzhou International Travel Fair (Citie 2025) from September 12 to 14 to introduce tourism potential internationally, a senior official said on Wednesday.
Islem Shohaei, Director of Foreign Tourism Marketing Development, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, said the international tourism fair is an important marketing tool that allows the country to create opportunities for negotiation, networks and collaboration between the private sector, while presenting its appeal directly to foreign visitors and industry experts.
He said attracting Chinese tourists is a priority in Iran’s tourism development strategy. “Deliberate participation in such exhibitions is considered a strategic necessity,” Shohai said, noting that Iran’s presence will be organized by the province’s tourism department with support from the Islamic Republic tour and car clubs.
The Guangzhou Fair, held in Guangdong Province, is considered one of East Asia’s most important tourism exhibitions. Shojaei said Guangzhou is one of China’s main sources of outbound tourism due to its economy and population, and is a strategic gateway to the wider southern Chinese market.
Iranian pavilions are set up to combine tourism promotion with cultural programming.
According to officials, the planned activities include meetings between Iranian and Chinese tour operators, consultations with the Iranian consul general of Guangzhou and Chinese officials, an Iranian workshop, demonstrations of handicrafts, participation of Iranian students in China, screening of Chinese promotional films, and distribution of advertising materials.
Shojaei said Chinese bloggers and major media outlets have been invited to cover Iranian pavilions to increase outreach. He added that the initiative will provide an opportunity for strengthening Iranian tourism brands among Chinese audiences.
In 2019, the Iranian government unilaterally waived visa requirements for Chinese citizens who are willing to visit the country. The decision was made to attract more foreign tourists to the ancient country.
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