Minister: Iran eyes two million medical tourists by 2030
Iran plans to draw two million medical tourists over the next five years, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri said on Saturday, outlining the country's long-term strategy to boost health tourism and fight regional stigma.
Speaking to reporters in Tehran, Salehi Amiri said Iran’s advanced medical infrastructure, skilled doctors, and lower treatment costs make the country a competitive destination for patients across the region, IRNA reported.
“With over 1,200,000 health tourists in 2024 alone, bringing in more than $2 billion, the numbers speak for themselves,” he said. “We’re not just talking about tourism. This is about diplomacy, economics, and public health.”
Salehi Amiri added that Iran would host the third ECO Health Tourism Conference this month in Hamedan, positioning the western province—with its natural springs and modern hospitals—as a future hub for regional care.
He acknowledged that lack of coordination among state bodies had slowed progress in the past. But new joint committees with the health and welfare ministries are working to align policies and streamline licensing for private sector players.
“Iran has what it takes to lead in health tourism,” Salehi Amiri said. “If we play our cards right, this could help counter Iranophobia and show a different face of the country to the world.”