Tehran – Khorasan Razabi generates around $4.5 billion a year from international tourism, according to Seiyed Javad Musabi, director of cultural heritage, tourism and crafts in the northeastern Iranian province.
Speaking to the reporter, Musabi pointed out that around 50% of Iran’s international tourists visit Khorasan Razavi every year, visiting around 3.5 million visitors. On average, each international tourist contributes $1,500 to the state’s economy. Tourists from Pakistan, the Persian Gulf Coast Province and other neighbouring countries such as Tajikistan and Afghanistan form the majority of visitors, he said.
Mousavi highlighted the important role of medical tourism in attracting visitors from Arab countries.
With the aim of further strengthening its appeal, the state is focusing on strengthening relations with its neighbouring countries. Officials say the provincial economic delegations have visited Pakistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to strengthen cooperation and improve accessibility for tourists. Following these efforts, there were plans to increase direct flights from Mashhad to major Pakistan cities from one to two per week, with three flights expanding. Pakistan, along with 50 million Shia Muslims, sees many travelers eager to visit the shrines of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad.
Additionally, arrangements have been made to establish direct flights between Samarkand and Uzbek cities in Bukhara, along with a 30-50% discount on travel services offered by agents and hotels for Uzbekistan tourists. In Tajikistan, the lifting of visa requirements achieved through presidential negotiations and the operation of direct flights between Mashhad and Dushanbe has led to an increase in tourist inflows, particularly during the Knowles Festival.
Elsewhere in his remarks, authorities noted that the state continues to organize special programs focusing on the region’s cultural heritage and well-known figures to attract and engage Tajik tourists.
Mashhad is Iran’s most sacred city. Its reason for existence is the impressive shrine complex of the eighth Shia Imam, surrounded by dozens of five-star hotels and many other accommodations.
In August 2020, the spiritual tradition of pilgrimage to the sacred temple of Imamreza (AS) was added to the national intangible cultural heritage list by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
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