TEHRAN (Tasnim) � An official with an Iranian shipping company said the country plans to launch an Islamic cruise for Omani tourists in 2016.

The tourist cruise will connect Iran, Muscat, Salalah and Mumbai, Abdolhossein Khedri, chairman of Khedri Jahan Darya Company, told Times of Oman on Saturday.

He added that the plan is now under study and that it will be implemented with the support of Iran�s Ports and Maritime Organization.

Each planned cruise journey is expected to take around seven to 10 days catering to both Iranian and Omani tourists, Khedri said during Iran�s second solo exhibition, which was held in Muscat from January 26 to 30.

Khedri Jahan Darya Company, which is affiliated with Marine Silk Road Holding, has been providing the first-ever regular direct shipping services for cargo transport between Iran and Oman following an agreement signed between the company and Iranian and Omani authorities.

According to Iran's embassy in Muscat, flow of tourists from Iran to Oman increased by around 10 percent in 2015 and the number of Iranian visas issued to Omanis showed an increase of around 37 percent.

By Tasnim News Agency