Tourism could help advance Iran’s regional ties, says deputy minister
Iran’s deputy tourism minister said that tourism is a “strategic advantage” for southern provinces and could act as an “engine” for boosting regional economic ties with Persian Gulf neighbors.
Speaking at the country’s first “provincial diplomacy” forum in Fars Province, Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpey called the event a turning point, ILNA reported on May 24.
“This marks a major shift,” he said, referring to the move from centralized diplomacy to more regionally-driven efforts.
The high-level meeting brought together Iranian ambassadors to Persian Gulf Cooperation Council countries, governors from four southern provinces, the foreign minister, the Central Bank chief, and key figures from both private and academic sectors. The focus: how tourism could deepen cross-border cooperation.
A roundtable on “tourism as a competitive edge in economic diplomacy” was among the forum’s key features. The discussion drew participation from the Iranian ambassadors to Oman and Kuwait, a consular official in Basra, and the secretary of Iran’s Health Tourism Council.
Mohseni Bandpey pointed to untapped potential in Iran’s south—particularly in health, coastal, religious, and historical tourism. He said these sectors could play a “critical role” in fostering stronger ties with countries across the Persian Gulf.
“Southern provinces are not just destinations,” he said. “They’re bridges to our neighbors.”
The forum concluded with a joint roadmap between Iran’s Foreign Ministry and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
Officials said the plan outlines “practical steps” to integrate tourism into the broader framework of regional economic diplomacy.
“The future of regional diplomacy in Iran,” Mohseni Bandpey said, “won’t happen without the active role of provinces. Tourism is one of our soft power tools—and it’s central to this vision.”