Iran seeks to turn Alborz into tourism hub to boost economy
Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, on Wednesday called Alborz province a “compressed mirror” of the country’s civilization, urging its transformation into a national tourism hub to help lift Iran’s economy and global image.
Speaking during his one-day trip to Alborz on July 23, Salehi Amiri said the province, which sits just west of Tehran, “reflects all that Iran stands for – history, nature, culture and industry – in a dense and unique form.”
His remarks came as Iran tries to ramp up tourism revenues amid biting Western sanctions, IRNA reported.
Alborz, home to about 3 million people, bears Tehran’s demographic spillover and lies along strategic transport corridors connecting central Iran to the Caspian and western provinces.
Salehi Amiri urged “massive national investment” to elevate the region’s tourism infrastructure to global standards, branding it a potential “gateway for international tour groups.”
The minister noted that Alborz is dubbed Iran’s “capital of ancient mounds” for its archaeological richness, with few parts of the province devoid of historical sites.
Scientific excavations are set to begin soon across ancient settlements, lasting roughly one year. “Specialized archaeology teams in collaboration with the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage will conduct excavations,” he said, adding that findings would be shared transparently with residents and local officials.
Plans include restoring historical spaces, building specialized museums, preserving rural heritage and creating public visitor routes.
Salehi Amiri called these steps vital to positioning Alborz as “a national brand and a future global destination.”
A five-star hotel in Karaj, Alborz’s capital, is slated for imminent opening with provincial support. Several other tourism projects are under construction. “This is a significant move to internationalize Alborz tourism,” he said, adding that smart planning and institutional backing are crucial.
Nationwide, Iran has over 2,700 active tourism projects. Last year, 7.3 million foreign tourists visited Iran. The government initially targeted 10 million arrivals in 2025 before regional conflicts disrupted projections. Tehran now eyes a medium-term goal of attracting 15 million foreign visitors, banking on private sector cooperation to “pick up the slack” amid economic constraints.
“Tourism is not only an engine for national economic growth,” Salehi Amiri said, “it is a powerful tool of cultural diplomacy to reimagine Iran’s regional and global standing.”
Amid a severe economic crunch from what Iranian officials call “hybrid wars and external pressures,” he expressed regret over public hardships. But he assured citizens that the administration is “pulling out all the stops” to ensure security, economic stability, and basic goods supply.
“Alborz is no marginal province,” he said. “It is a civilizational center that must become Iran’s new tourism pole.”