Moscow, Dec 10, IRNA � An official with Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said that Iran plans to inaugurate a tourism representative office in Russia in near future.

Director General of Marketing and Publicity Department of the organization Mohammad Kazem Kholdi added that Iran is keen on hosting the Russian tourists and it will work out plans for the purpose.

Putting the number of Russian tourists to Iran at 8,500 in 2014, he said that the figure has fallen by half compared to the figure for the year earlier.

Since Iran-Russia tourism ties are not developed, establishment of tourism office in the country may be helpful, Kholdi said.

He added that representatives of certain tourism companies contend that inauguration of Iran's tourism office in Russia will help Russians get further acquainted with Iranians and the country's tourism facilities.

The two countries have recently agreed to set up tourism development offices in each other's country.

By IRNA