Iran, Kazakhstan forge path to enhanced tourism cooperation
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, proposed an extension of the visa waiver period and the introduction of direct flights between Iran and Kazakhstan.
The plan aims to foster tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations, emphasizing their shared heritage and potential for collaboration, IRNA reported.
During a meeting on Sunday, with Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Tehran, Ontalap Onalbayev, Salehi-Amiri outlined measures to enhance cultural interactions and tourism development.
He added, “Increasing the visa waiver duration from 14 days to one month, along with expanding direct flights, are essential steps in promoting tourism and deepening our bilateral relationship.”
The minister stressed the importance of showcasing the unique tourism attractions of both countries as a means to facilitate greater people-to-people connections.
He proposed the creation of targeted investment packages aimed at establishing five-star hotels and inviting prominent Kazakh cultural figures to Iran. These incentives, he believes, would serve as catalysts for enriching cultural exchanges.
In addition, Salehi Amiri expressed the ministry’s readiness to organize joint cultural and artistic exhibitions in both countries, viewing this as a vital opportunity to deepen mutual understanding and foster a cultural dialogue that brings their peoples closer together.
He highlighted the significance of collaboration in preserving shared cultural elements, such as the international recognition of Nowruz, and called for joint efforts to register shared historical sites with UNESCO.
Onalbayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s commitment to bolstering relations with Iran across various sectors, particularly in cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts.
He revealed that the Kazakh government is fully prepared to implement initiatives aimed at identifying and promoting shared historical artifacts, producing cultural documentaries, and establishing specialized working groups.