Tabriz opens door to Kazakh tourism partnership
Tabriz is ready to host specialized tourism delegations from Kazakhstan as the two countries seek to deepen cultural cooperation, Ahmad Hamzehzadeh, director general of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts for East Azerbaijan Province, said on Tuesday.
He made the remarks during a meeting with Kazakhstan's Ambassador to Iran, Ontalap Onalbayev, according to Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
Highlighting Tabriz's historic role as one of Iran's leading commercial and cultural hubs, Hamzehzadeh said the city is well positioned to open a new chapter in cultural relations between the two countries. "The historical and cultural bonds between Iran and Kazakhstan provide a solid foundation for defining joint tourism projects," he said.
He announced the province's readiness to receive Kazakh tourism officials, travel agency representatives, and tour guides for on-site visits aimed at designing joint travel packages and increasing two-way tourist exchanges.
Hamzehzadeh also proposed establishing a sister-city partnership between Tabriz and a Kazakh city, saying such a link could strengthen long-term cooperation in culture, tourism, and economic affairs.
Underscoring East Azarbaijan's rich heritage, he said the province is home to more than 4,800 identified historical sites, including over 2,200 nationally registered monuments and six UNESCO World Heritage sites, making it one of Iran's foremost tourism destinations.
The provincial official also called for closer museum collaboration. He said the Azarbaijan Museum in Tabriz, Iran's second-largest archaeological museum, is prepared to host joint exhibitions featuring Kazakh artifacts and participate in cultural exchange programs, particularly those reflecting the two nations' shared Timurid heritage.
Turning to traditional arts, Hamzehzadeh pointed to similarities between Kazakh handwoven crafts and Tabriz carpets. As a UNESCO-recognized World City of Carpet Weaving, Tabriz is well equipped to stage joint exhibitions, exchange expertise, and broaden professional cooperation in the handicrafts sector, he said.
"The best use of these shared cultural assets can boost people-to-people exchanges, expand tourism flows, and reinforce lasting cultural cooperation between East Azarbaijan and Kazakhstan," Hamzehzadeh said.