Bushehr proposes sister-city partnership with South Korea’s Jeju Island
A proposal to establish a sister-city relationship between the southern Iranian port city of Bushehr and South Korea’s Jeju Island was put forward by a representative of Bushehr Province’s Ecotourism Community at the first Iran–South Korea Specialized Ecotourism Seminar.
Vahid Jamali, Deputy Director of Tourism at the Bushehr Province Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, announced the proposal, describing it as an opportunity to promote tourism diplomacy, showcase maritime culture and expand international cooperation, according to chtn.ir.
He said the inaugural seminar was held at the Gran Miras Rashidieh Hotel in Tehran, with the participation of the South Korean ambassador to Iran, officials from Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, representatives of professional tourism associations and ecotourism operators from both countries. The event provided a valuable opportunity to showcase Iran’s diverse tourism and cultural attractions and strengthen international ties.
Jamali added that the seminar, which focused on sustainable tourism and cultural exchange, also saw the participation of Bushehr Province’s Ecotourism Community.
Shayan Bahrami, head of the community and its representative at the event, introduced the province’s cultural, historical and maritime heritage.
One of the key proposals put forward by Bahrami was the establishment of a sister-city partnership between Bushehr and Jeju Island. The initiative was proposed in view of the cultural, historical and livelihood-related similarities between the two regions, particularly their communities’ longstanding ties to the sea.
Jamali noted that Jeju is internationally renowned for its maritime heritage and its women divers, while Bushehr Province also has a rich history of seafaring, diving and pearl fishing. He cited the historical tradition of diving and pearl harvesting on Kharg Island, as well as the traditional fishing activities of women on Jazireh-ye Shif (Shif Island), who are known for wearing distinctive local attire.
These shared maritime traditions, he said, could provide a strong foundation for cultural and tourism cooperation between the two destinations. A sister-city agreement could pave the way for exchanges between tourism and ecotourism operators, the promotion of intangible maritime heritage, the organization of joint cultural events and the development of sustainable tourism.
Referring to the positive response from officials at the South Korean Embassy in Iran, Jamali said the proposed areas of cooperation between Bushehr and Jeju had attracted attention during the seminar. Embassy representatives, however, noted that advancing the initiative would require continued correspondence and follow-up by the relevant organizations and institutions.
He also highlighted the presentation of local handicrafts on the sidelines of the event. Bushehr’s traditional crafts, including camel-wool textiles and handwoven waistcoats, were displayed in the seminar’s exhibition section, showcasing the skills and artistic heritage of local artisans to participants and the South Korean ambassador.
Emphasizing the role of professional associations in developing the province’s tourism sector, Jamali said the active participation of Bushehr Province’s Ecotourism Community in international events demonstrated the potential of specialized organizations to contribute to tourism diplomacy and promote the province’s cultural and indigenous heritage.
He expressed hope that, through the efforts of Bushehr Province’s Ecotourism Community and cooperation among the province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, Bushehr Municipality and the Islamic City Council, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the South Korean Embassy in Tehran, the sister-city proposal would move beyond discussion and develop into a practical framework for tourism cooperation, the promotion of maritime culture and stronger ties between the local communities of the two regions.