Iran courts foreign investment in health tourism
Iran is stepping up efforts to attract foreign investment in health tourism, Head of Investment and Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Shalbafian said during the Tourism Investments Forum in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
The forum, which was held with the participation of the UN Tourism, Shalbafian highlighted Iran’s strategic roadmap for developing international partnerships in wellness tourism, IRNA reported.
He outlined investment incentives designed to encourage overseas firms to tap into the country’s growing health travel sector.
The event drew tourism ministers, senior officials, and ambassadors from Russia, China, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, India, Pakistan, Czech Republic, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Austria, Montenegro and Australia.
Shalbafian participated in a specialized panel on ‘Investment Session: Healing Highlands: Investment Opportunities in Mountain, Health and Wellness Tourism,’ sharing Iran’s vision for regional cooperation and experience exchange.
Describing Iran’s health tourism potential as “outstanding,” Shalbafian emphasized the country’s readiness to leverage natural and regional assets, including highland therapeutic destinations, to attract international capital.
He also presented recent incentives and policy measures aimed at facilitating foreign investment and streamlining partnerships in the sector.
Iran’s tourism industry has been gaining momentum, with 167 new projects worth $166 million launched across 31 provinces in September, reflecting government efforts to expand infrastructure and diversify the economy beyond traditional energy exports.
Authorities aim to double hospitality capacity under the country’s Seventh Development Plan, increasing accommodations from 1,843 to over 3,600 units and beds from 455,000 to 900,000 to host up to 15 million tourists.
Shalbafian said Iran stands ready to roll out the “red carpet” for foreign investors seeking to capitalize on the sector’s long-term growth potential.