Iran Prepares for a 'Tsunami' of Tourists

Iran's Vice President says the country is preparing for a 'tsunami' of foreign tourists. Masoud Soltani Far, who is the head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, stated in an interview with the Associated Press that the moderate policies of President Hassan Rouhani and the easing of visa regulations will help bring more tourists to Iran. Iran, benefiting from 19 sites registered on UNESCO's World Heritage list, will soon unveil an investment package to attract foreign investment and expand tourism. The Associated Press noted that Iran's tourism has been damaged by international sanctions. According to Iranian officials, tourism has already grown by more than 12% over the past two years. Last year, Iran welcomed over 5 million tourists, generating approximately $7.5 billion in revenue. Beyond foreign currency income, tourism can also foster entrepreneurship in society. However, Iran's tourism sector, which aims to attract 20 million tourists and generate $25 billion in revenue over the next decade, faces challenges regarding infrastructure. In transportation, of Iran's 250 passenger aircraft, 150 are old and need modernization, and another 100 are grounded due to a lack of spare parts. To meet its goals, Iran needs more than 400 new passenger aircraft. Additionally, Iran requires a significant increase in the number of 4 and 5-star hotels, with Soltani Far stating that the number of such hotels must rise from the current 130 to 400 in the next decade. The head of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization emphasized that tourism will expand more than any other sector in the post-sanctions era and is seen as a driving force to pull Iran's economy out of recession, predicting a flood of tourists into Iran after sanctions are lifted.