Tehran – Consultations between Iran and Saudi Arabia with Saudi Arabia are extremely important. Saudi Arabia is one of the main sources of foreign pilgrims for Mashhad, the capital of Horasan Razavi Province, said the head of the Khorasan Razavi Hotel-Apartment Owners Professional Society.
Mohammad Niku added that during the golden age of Saudi pilgrims their long stay brought a considerable amount of forex to Mashhad. Not only did this boost the hotel industry, it also had a positive impact on related industries such as food factories and other sectors related to tourists, Isna reports.
He said the possibility of Mashhad and the management of infrastructure and international interactions could transform the city into one of the major pilgrimage and international tourist destinations.
Regarding alternatives to promote the tourism industry, he said the arrival of foreign pilgrims, particularly from Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan, could boost the economy and create jobs in Mashhad.
“For example, a rise in hotel occupancy could lead to more revenue and hiring more staff. This directly and indirectly affects all sectors related to the tourism industry.”
He added that achieving these goals requires international cooperation and diplomatic consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and senior national officials.
Improved relations with neighboring and Muslim countries can create a great market for attracting tourists and earning foreign currency, he said.
He said it is very important to promote infrastructure, saying, “Upgrading airports, modernizing the airline fleet, and improving urban transport systems, including international taxis with foreign language-speaking drivers, can improve the tourist experience.
KD