Halal tourism at center of Iran-Malaysia cooperation
Iran and Malaysia are seeking to expand tourism and cultural ties, with halal tourism, heritage preservation and joint cultural programs among the areas identified for cooperation, Iranian official said.
Ali Darabi, Iran’s deputy minister for cultural heritage, met Malaysian Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing on the sidelines of the fourth Asian Cultural Heritage Alliance (ACHA) summit in Hangzhou, China on October 18, 2026, IRNA reported on Sunday.
Darabi said Iran’s participation in Malaysian tourism events and Malaysia’s presence at Tehran’s international tourism exhibition had helped build closer relations. He said a memorandum of understanding could pave the way for further cooperation and joint programs, and invited the Malaysian minister to visit Iran.
Iran ranks among the world’s leading countries in tangible cultural heritage and has 27 elements inscribed on UNESCO’s intangible cultural heritage lists, Darabi said.
Tiong said the issues raised at the meeting would be reviewed in Malaysia and discussed with Iran’s ambassador there. He also pointed to plans to hold an Iran Week in Malaysia as a way to promote cultural exchanges.
The Malaysian minister said the number of Malaysian tourists visiting Iran fell in 2025 and called for joint efforts to increase travel between the two countries. He identified Malaysia’s experience in Islamic tourism and halal travel as an opportunity to attract more Iranian visitors.
Both sides stressed the need to follow up on their discussions and turn their cultural and tourism potential into practical joint initiatives.