Iran, China seek concrete steps to boost tourism
Iran and China are discussing new travel packages and improved visitor services to attract more Chinese tourists to Iran, as flight disruptions and other barriers hinder tourism ties, IRNA reported.
Officials and tourism industry representatives met on Friday at the Iranian Embassy in Beijing, to explore avenues to turn cooperation into actual visitor exchanges.
Iranian Ambassador Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli highlighted the countries’ historical ties along the Silk Road, which carried not only goods but also culture, art, music and traditions. He called for removing barriers and better organizing tourism cooperation, describing China as an important partner and saying both countries sought peace and security in the Middle East.
A proposal from Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri also presented during the meeting. It included forming a joint working group for travel agencies and tour operators, developing at least three packages for the Chinese market, arranging familiarization trips for Chinese travel executives and journalists, expanding Chinese-language guide and payment services, and setting targets and deadlines for visitor exchanges.
Chinese tourism representatives said Iran was an attractive destination and that Chinese travelers were interested in visiting.
They cited unstable flight schedules linked to the 40-day US-Israeli war that broke out in late February, the lack of an Iranian tourism promotion office in Beijing and difficulties organizing familiarization tours as key obstacles.
Iranian officials said the country could host 15 to 20 Chinese tour operators in the near future. A ministry representative encouraged them to visit Iran, invoking a Chinese proverb: “Hearing something a hundred times is not as good as seeing it once.” The discussions underscored the need for practical improvements in transport, marketing and visitor services to turn interest into actual trips.