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Iran waives zoning fees to lure foreign tourism investment, eyes global rebound
Iran has scrapped land-use conversion fees for tourism projects in a bid to attract foreign investment and revive its post-sanctions tourism economy, Cultural Heritage Minister Reza Salehi Amiri announced on Saturday.
The measure, long demanded by developers, is expected to unlock stalled projects and ease entry for international hotel chains, eco-tourism ventures, and wellness brands, IRNA reported.
“This is a game-changer,” Salehi Amiri said at a high-level meeting in Tehran. “We are opening the door to global investors. Our mission is to put Iran firmly back on the international tourism map.”
The move comes as Iran seeks to rebuild its cultural and tourism sectors amid a wider drive to diversify the economy and counter years of isolation.
Until now, developers were required to pay up to 80% of land value to convert agricultural land — a key hurdle for both domestic and foreign investors. New exemptions now apply to hotels, eco-lodges, marine resorts, and other qualifying projects.
The reform is part of a broader five-year overhaul that includes tighter governance, increased cultural diplomacy, and higher budgets. Salehi Amiri said Iran’s tourism and heritage strategy had entered a “new phase,” marked by direct provincial coordination, international outreach, and structured performance benchmarks.
Officials cited recent cultural engagement with Egypt and Azerbaijan, as well as expanded UNESCO site nominations, as proof of the country’s growing soft power. The minister also pointed to national resilience during the recent 12-day war, praising swift crisis management and coordinated provincial response.
Deputy Minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian called the fee removal “historic,” saying it fulfilled a 10-year demand from the private sector.
Ali Darabi, another deputy, said reopening museums and training tourism workers are now top priorities, while a new push is underway to inscribe Alamut Castle as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Under its 7th Development Plan, Iran aims to raise the number of museums to 1,000 and will host an international handicrafts fair in September. Talks are also in progress to increase ministry funding by 60% and boost staff salaries by half.