MNA � Chief of Iran Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) Ali Asghar Moonesan said that tourists around the world and global activists of tourism industry said no to the US sanctions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran.







He pointed to the participation of activists of tourism industry all over the world in the Islamic Republic of Iran and added, �the diversity of our international events in the field of cultural heritage and tourism as well as growth of positive tourism developments in the country over the past two years have been indicative of the continued growth of this industry in the country regardless of sanctions.�

Organizing the 40th meeting of members of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the historic city of Hamedan simultaneous with the new round of US sanctions on Iran indicates that the US and its allies could not materialize their objectives in this respect, Moonesan emphasized.

Planners of sanctions cannot boycott the attractions and breathtaking views of Iranian land and territory, he said, adding, �moreover, they [plotters of sanctions] cannot deprive world tourists of visiting Iranian must-see sites.�

US unilateral and cruel sanctions against Iran are doomed to failure, so that a great number of tourists have flocked to the Islamic Republic of Iran in this period, he noted.

If accurate planning is taken in this regard, US sanctions will have no impact on Iran�s tourism industry, he said, adding, �despite the exacerbation of cultural invasion of enemy waged against the country, followed by Iranophobia and external political pressures, the country has witnessed the organizing prestigious international events with a focus on tourism in a way that dynamicity as a result of organizing these events in the country has created an excellent opportunity for more interaction and development of international cooperation.�

The vice president outlined a bright and rosy future for Iranian tourism industry and said, �fortunately, we are witnessing the construction operation of 1,900 projects in tourism sector of the country with the participation and investment of private sector.�