Iran offers to host ECO Ministerial Meeting on Tourism
Spanish envoy: Iran, appealing destination for European investors
Iran expressed its readiness to host the upcoming Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Ministerial Meeting on Tourism, underscoring its commitment to enhancing regional tourism collaborations.
This announcement was made during a meeting between Reza Salehi Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, and Asad Majeed Khan, Secretary General of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), on the sidelines of the 18th Tehran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition.
Salehi Amiri highlighted Iran’s vast tourism potential, citing the country’s 40,000 registered national heritage sites, 28 tangible UNESCO World Heritage sites, and 26 intangible cultural assets, IRNA reported.
He added that Iran is prepared to sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize its offer to host the event, aiming to expand cooperation with ECO in the tourism sector.
Reflecting on previous collaborations between Iran and ECO, the Iranian minister stressed the importance of bolstering cultural connections among member states.
“While governmental ties are crucial, people-to-people connections are even more significant,” Salehi Amiri noted.
He called for stronger cultural exchanges to showcase the tourism capacities of Iran and other ECO countries.
In response, Majeed Khan commended Iran for hosting the international tourism exhibition and recognized the cultural commonalities among ECO member nations as a valuable resource for tourism growth.
He said, “ECO prioritizes trade, transportation, and tourism, but neglecting people-to-people connectivity could hinder our objectives.” Majid Khan also referred to Iran as the ‘tourism capital’ of ECO countries, describing the Tehran event as a world-class exhibition.
To further facilitate tourism cooperation, the ECO Secretary-General underscored the need to ease or eliminate visa requirements among member states. “Simplifying visa procedures will significantly boost regional tourism,” he suggested.
On the same occasion, Salehi Amiri met with Antonio Sánchez-Benedito Gaspar, Spain’s ambassador to Iran, to explore opportunities for enhancing cultural and economic ties.
He spoke about Iran’s unparalleled heritage, tourism, and handicrafts potential and expressed Tehran’s willingness to collaborate extensively with Spain in these sectors.
The Iranian minister also highlighted investment opportunities in Iran’s tourism industry, portraying the nation as a safe and attractive destination for European investors.
He assured that the Iranian government supports foreign investment in tourism infrastructure, referencing the recent inauguration of a major tourism complex in Kerman as a testament to Iran’s commitment to developing its tourism sector.
Pointing to the historical and cultural links between the two countries, Salehi Amiri noted the sister city relationship between Isfahan and Barcelona as a promising platform for expanding cultural and tourism cooperation.
He invited the Spanish ambassador to visit Iran’s tourist attractions, particularly in Isfahan and Kerman, which are celebrated for their unique cultural heritage.
Addressing the challenges posed by negative perceptions, the minister criticized anti-Iran propaganda, arguing, “Despite facing Iranophobia, Iran remains a secure and welcoming destination for tourists and foreign investors.”
The Spanish envoy welcomed the idea of deepening cultural and tourism partnerships, expressing optimism about enhanced bilateral interactions.
Salehi Amiri also announced that Iran has surpassed the six million mark in tourist arrivals this year, with projections to reach over seven million by the end of the year.
Speaking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, he disclosed that 5.7 million tourists had visited Iran by late December. To achieve the target of 15 million tourists set in Iran’s Seventh Development Plan, the minister said that the country needs to increase its tourism capacity by 1.5 million visitors annually.