Iran eyes regional tourism rebound after conflict
Iran is moving to revive its tourism industry through regional outreach, rural travel initiatives and international cultural events after the sector sustained losses estimated at 28.5 quadrillion rials ($15.6 billion) during the recent Ramadan war, Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey said on Tuesday.
The losses, excluding airlines, hit hotels and accommodation providers hardest, accounting for 20 quadrillion rials ($10.9 billion), while travel agencies lost 5.5 quadrillion rials ($3 billion), tour guides one quadrillion rials ($546 million) and other tourism-related activities two quadrillion rials ($1.09 billion), Mohseni-Bandpey told reporters at a press briefing, IRNA reported.
Despite the conflict coinciding with Iran’s peak spring travel season and the 12-day hostilities disrupting operations across the sector, the official said more than 29 million domestic trips were recorded during the Nowruz holidays, showing what he described as the resilience of the country’s travel market.
Seeking to rebuild international confidence, Iran has secured the hosting rights for Economic Cooperation Organization tourism events and plans to stage additional regional gatherings aimed at restoring inbound travel flows and rebranding the country’s tourism profile.
The ministry is also banking on a surge in religious and medical travel. More than 140,000 pilgrimage and health travelers entered Iran in March 2026, with arrivals rising to over 178,000 in April despite wartime conditions, Mohseni-Bandpey said.
Authorities are preparing a support package for tourism businesses that includes six-month tax and insurance deferrals as well as delayed loan repayments. Separately, 14 quadrillion rials ($7.6 billion) in low-interest financing has been earmarked for eco-lodges and handicraft operators, with loans carrying a 4% rate.
The tourism official said rural tourism had emerged as a new growth driver after three Iranian villages were added to a global tourism list in 2025, while eight more villages are competing for international recognition in 2026.
Under a long-term “stable peace” scenario outlined by the ministry, Iran aims to increase inbound arrivals by 50%, expand electronic visas to 33 countries and attract foreign investment into health tourism and ecotourism projects.
The deputy minister also announced the imminent launch of a national tourism card for Iranian travelers and said eco-lodge operators had been exempted from paying insurance contributions as part of broader efforts to shield small operators from mounting financial pressure.