Iran sets out tourism roadmap for postwar era in Spain
Iran launched a new national tourism initiative aimed at strengthening its position in global travel markets and preparing for post-war recovery, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri said on the sidelines of the 128th Executive Council meeting of UN Tourism in Madrid on Wednesday.
Speaking at the gathering, Salehi-Amiri said Iran had adopted a forward-looking strategy centered on sustainable and resilient tourism, aligning its plans with international efforts to shape the sector through 2027, CHTN reported.
The minister unveiled the national program, ‘Iran; The Beginning of a Story,’ describing it as an effort to present a comprehensive and authentic image of the country to international audiences.
“Iran is among the few countries that simultaneously possess exceptional natural attractions, cultural heritage, civilizational tourism, religious tourism, health tourism and diverse cultural experiences,” Salehi-Amiri said. “These unique advantages must be introduced to the world through a coherent national and international narrative.”
He said regional markets, particularly neighboring countries, the Persian Gulf region, Turkey, Iraq, Pakistan and the broader Muslim world, remain at the center of Iran’s tourism development strategy.
Salehi-Amiri also stressed the need for what he called a “comprehensive, coherent and future-oriented” roadmap for the post-war period, adding that discussions with tourism officials and policymakers in Madrid focused on expanding cooperation and preparing the ground for renewed visitor flows.
The minister said Iran intends to leverage tourism diplomacy and international partnerships to amplify its presence in the global tourism industry.
As part of that strategy, Tehran is prioritizing coastal tourism development along the country’s southern shores, including Hormozgan, Khuzestan and Abadan, areas he described as possessing significant untapped potential for investment and growth.
“With its immense cultural and civilizational capital, Iran is pursuing constructive engagement with the world through tourism,” Salehi-Amiri said.