Iran, Armenia seek to ease travel, boost health tourism
Iran and Armenia have agreed to remove obstacles to land travel, expand direct flights and develop health tourism, Iran’s deputy tourism minister said on Wednesday.
Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey said they seek to increase visitor flows between the neighboring countries.
the agreements were reached at the 19th Iran-Armenia Joint Intergovernmental Commission, held in Yerevan, the Armenian capital, on November 9 and 10.
The two sides also agreed to hold their sixth joint technical tourism committee meeting in Tabriz, in northwestern Iran.
“Border crossing difficulties remain a major barrier to tourism,” Mohseni-Bandpey said.
Officials plan to bring together tourism authorities from Armenia’s southern Syunik Province and Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province to identify obstacles and propose practical solutions.
Iran’s Road Maintenance and Transportation Organization, Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, and customs authorities have pledged to help facilitate cross-border movement.
The two countries also agreed to pursue more direct flights, with the issue to be examined at future technical meetings. Mohseni-Bandpey said stronger air links were essential to expanding bilateral tourism.
Health tourism is another priority. Citing Iran’s medical facilities and healthcare capacity, he said Tehran was seeking to ease the entry of Armenian patients and health tourists.
“Iran is the third-largest destination for Armenian tourists, after Russia and Georgia, while Armenia ranks fifth or sixth among destinations for Iranian travelers, depending on the year,” he said.
Mohseni-Bandpey estimated that 7 million to 8 million ethnic Armenians live outside Armenia, adding that many have an interest in Iran.
He said the two countries could also develop joint tourism packages for international visitors traveling to the region.
The sixth technical committee meeting in Tabriz is expected to focus on turning the agreements into practical steps, moving cooperation beyond general commitments toward improved border access, air connections and health tourism.