Iran targets 15mn tourists annually to revive sector after Israeli aggression
Pasargadae plan to balance heritage, community: Minister
Iran’s Cultural Heritage Minister Reza Salehi Amiri said Monday the government will target 15 million annual visitors to revive tourism after a recent conflict with Israel damaged the sector.
The minister said Iran would "stimulate domestic tourism" and "focus on neighboring markets" to recover from losses during the 12-day conflict. Around six million international tourists have visited Iran this year, he confirmed, IRNA reported.
Speaking after visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pasargadae, Salehi Amiri said the recovery strategy has two main elements. Iran will boost domestic travel to create jobs and social optimism while easing access for foreign visitors through upgraded facilities.
The government is investing in coastal infrastructure along the Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman through public-private partnerships, he said. Stimulus measures include visa-waiver agreements and expanded hotel capacity, with 45 new properties already opened.
Salehi Amiri said Iran must bridge a nine million-visitor gap by "boosting domestic demand" and "leaning on neighbors from Iraq to the Caucasus."
Last year, 7.4 million tourists visited Iran, with Fars province and Pasargadae among top destinations, according to ministry data. Tourism grew 48 percent in the first month of the Iranian year compared to the previous year.
"The government considers itself obligated to restore normal conditions as quickly as possible so people can see tourists returning," the minister said.
At Pasargadae, Iran's first dynastic capital, Salehi Amiri pledged a development plan that balances historical preservation with local community needs. The 6th-century BC site contains the tomb of Cyrus the Great and ancient palace ruins.
He described the site as a "peerless investment in Iran's collective memory" and said restoration and infrastructure projects would follow long-term scientific evaluation while respecting "both heritage and host communities."
A technical advisory body including archaeologists, local officials and Parliament members will convene within a month to make binding decisions on the site's development, he announced.
"This land is steeped in identity and splendor—it must be honored in deed, not just word," Salehi Amiri said. "Every measure will reflect its stature" according to national and international heritage standards.
The minister apologized to Fars Province residents for any government shortcomings and promised to address local concerns while protecting the archaeological site's integrity.