Iran sees tourism as nat’l asset to tackle economic, social challenges: Deputy minister
Tourism could offer the country a “low-cost, high-return” path out of economic and social challenges, said Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpey, on Monday.
He made the remarks during a joint meeting with senior officials at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts in Tehran, IRNA reported.
Tourism, he stressed, is one of Iran’s few industries capable of generating income, jobs, and social cohesion without heavy state intervention.
He called it a "national advantage" and a critical driver for economic resilience and long-term sustainability.
“This is the only industry that creates jobs, earns income, and builds identity all at once,” Bandpey said.
He urged policymakers to take a scientific, targeted, and inclusive approach to tourism, positioning it as both an economic engine and a tool for cultural diplomacy.
While acknowledging the sector’s vulnerability to geopolitical crises and international sanctions, Bandpey dismissed them as threats. “These are not threats but chances to rethink, innovate, and create local models for tourism management,” he said.
Bandpey underscored the need for “creative decision-making” and warned against a passive stance. Instead, he called on the ministry to take the lead in forming national tourism strategies. Engaging universities, the private sector, and civil society would unlock new horizons, he said.
Investing in tourism, especially under current economic strains, is “not a cost but a chance to build national wealth and renew social hope,” he added.
He closed by urging a nationwide consensus and “smart governance” to turn Iran’s vast cultural, historical, and natural heritage into the “flag-bearer of national development” and a symbol of economic resilience.