TEHRAN – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri said that with the investments made and government support, Parand and Lobat Karim in Tehran province will become important ecotourism hubs in the country and promote local employment.
During his visit to the cities of Lobat Karim, Parand and Nasir Shaar, the Prime Minister described the results of the visit as positive and energetic, and said that the region is of particular importance from a historical and cultural point of view and should be explored and showcased more than ever before, IRNA reported.
He visited the Hajj Kamal caravanserai of the Qajar period (1789-1925) and the Sassanian stone caravanserai of Lobat Karim, and said that these precious works demonstrate the civilizational and historical status of the southwest region of Tehran, and that there is a need to expand exploration and research activities in the region.
He noted the region’s privileged location near Imam Khomeini International Airport and stressed the need to showcase Lobat Karim’s tourism and cultural capabilities to attract domestic and international tourists. He added that the development of tourism in the region could play an important role in the economic prosperity of southern Tehran.
The minister also announced the opening of five ecotourism complexes in Parando department, built with an investment of about 2 trillion rials ($2 million), saying the main objectives of ecotourism development are to protect the cultural identity of villages, create sustainable jobs, strengthen handicrafts and prevent the migration of villagers to cities.
He stressed the importance of preserving traditional architecture, language, music and local customs, adding that the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the Mostazafan Foundation and the Presidential Department of Rural Development to prepare the basis for providing facilities and loans.
In another part of his speech, he mentioned the need to develop tourism and accommodation infrastructure in Lobat Karim and said that given the area’s high capacity, it is planned that the area will become a tourist hub in southern Tehran in the near future.
Salehi Amiri added that the Iranian President is particularly sensitive to developments in southern Tehran and is seriously promoting railway and metro projects to ensure justice in the distribution of facilities.
The Minister also noted the continued follow-up of regional representatives and officials and the minister’s weekly visits to cities, and said that supporting private investors is one of the government’s priorities in tourism and employment development.
He went on to announce plans to develop health tourism and remove legal obstacles in the region, expressing hope that a full-scale development of tourism and medical capacity around Tehran will occur in the near future.
KD