28 Mar 2024
Monday 26 September 2016 - 18:23
Story Code : 232776

Pres. Rouhani: Foreign policy, culture keys to develop tourism in Iran

Pres. Rouhani: Foreign policy, culture keys to develop tourism in Iran
TEHRAN, Sep. 26 (MNA) On the occasion of World Tourism Day, Irans President Hassan Rouhani deemed culture and foreign policy as the two major factors for developing tourism industry in Iran.

Speaking atceremony in commemoration of World Tourism Day on Sep. 27, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani maintained that Iran is one of the 10 top countries in terms of natural, historical and cultural attractions, and highlighted the significance of developing tourism industry in the country.

During his address on Monday, the President referred to a number of factors that could help boost tourism in Iran, with culture being the most important of them; tourists travel to a country that welcomes them with hospitality and has a high cultural tolerance and pays particular attention to moral behavior.

All who have visited Iran, remember the Iranian people as one of the most hospitable and kindest in the world, Rouhani said, adding these qualities should be further promoted.

The president deemed the second most important factor for attracting tourists foreign policy, saying if we fail to overcome the Iranophobia conspiracy, no doubt we will fail to attract tourists to our country.

Rouhani went on to add, with the nuclear deal, we managed to prove that the PMD was a baseless and unfounded claim. The IAEA, after 13 long years and thousands of unannounced inspections of Iranian nuclear sites, finally admitted that our nuclear program is peaceful. This heralded the end of one of the major anti-Iranian propagandas.

President Rouhani stressed that today the political situation in Iran is readier than ever for attracting tourists.

Rouhani further referred to economy and banking relations as the two other factors that could impact tourism industry in Iran.

He maintained that his administration has taken good measures for promotion of tourism industry, adding the number of foreign tourists increased from about 4.7 million in 2012 to over 5.2 million in 2015. This indicates a 10 per cent growth in a year, and the process needs to speed up for the coming years.

By Mehr News Agency
https://theiranproject.com/vdcgux9x3ak9wu4.5jra.html
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Andrew Lucas
I agree with these points, but having just returned from Iran as a tourist, here are a few more things that Iran can do to foster tourism:

1. Don't block social media. Tourists these days like to share their experience on social media, and Iranian censorship works against this.

2. Don't enforce dress rules for women tourists. Some women in our group were discomforted by head covering/long sleeves in the extreme heat.

3. Work to develop banking contacts as quickly as possible. It was unsettling to carry so much cash on me at all times.

4. Relax alcohol rules in some tourist hotels. This was no problem for me, but some people like to have a beer at the end of a day's long travelling.

5. Maintain security. I went there because I felt safe, but one bomb could dissipate the tourist confidence that Iran has built up. Just look at Egypt.

Good luck. Iran is a great place and deserves to be much better recognised as a tourist destination. I plan to return sometime and see more great history, lovely people and delicious food!