Development of foreign tourism in Khorasan Razavi Province on agenda
The main approach of Khorasan Razavi Province in developing foreign tourism sector is focusing on target markets with cultural, linguistic, and religious commonalities and preparing condition for the private sector to play effective role in international interactions.
Saeed Barzegar, a tourism expert at the Khorasan Razavi Province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, said in an interview with ISNA that to realize the objective, a number of governors as well as economic delegations comprising of representatives from private sector, travelled to Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan.
Important issues such as establishing and expanding direct flights between countries, introducing travel packages in the fields of pilgrimage and health tourism, as well as introducing investment opportunities in the tourism and hospitality sectors, were discussed in the negotiations held during the trips.
He added that in addition, the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization of Khorasan Razavi Province has several programs on its agenda in the field of tourism development. These programs include producing international content utilizing modern technologies such as artificial intelligence, participating in international exhibitions and target market festivals, supporting international virtual tourism businesses, introducing the province’s and even the country’s tourism services.
Other important initiatives include preparing dossier for tourist villages and cities in the province to the World Tourism Organization. In this framework, the dossier for the sacred city of Mashhad is being compiled to be submitted for registration as a global tourist city.
He added, “Participation in tourism projects of international organizations such as the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and other international organizations like the D8 and BRICS, in which Iran is a member, is also on the agenda. In this regard, a proposal has been made to host the second meeting of the ECO Silk Road Tourism Working Group and the International Food Festival of ECO member countries in Mashhad in April. Additionally, a proposal has been made to implement a joint international Nowruz event with Turkmenistan at the two countries’ joint border during Nowruz holidays.
Barzegar said that due to shared language and culture with countries like Afghanistan and Tajikistan, there is a significant potential for developing cultural interactions with them. These cultural ties can be strengthened through organizing ethnic, poetry and music festivals.
Additionally, countries such as Iraq, Azerbaijan, Lebanon, and parts of Central Asia, which share a common religion, particularly Shia Islam, provide an ideal environment for fostering cultural and religious convergence. This convergence can be enhanced through shared religious rituals and traditions like Ramadan, Muharram, and other common moral and social values, as well as through traditional and religious events.
In addition, scientific and academic exchanges, the implementation of cultural programs, and the holding of artistic and religious festivals can play a significant role in strengthening cultural synergies with countries that share a common language, culture, and religion.
In selecting target tourism markets, multiple indicators are considered, among them cultural proximity, common language, and religious similarities, are among the most important criteria.