Number of European tourists visiting Iran tripled

/By AzerNews/

By Sara Rajabova

The success in the negotiation process over the resolution of the nuclear dispute between the West and Iran and the positive developments following it, have lead to a boom in Iran’s tourism sector.

Iranian officials have released recent figures showing an increase in a number of the people visiting the Islamic Republic, especially from Europe.

Saeed Shirkavand, the deputy Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization announced that the number of European tourists visiting Iran during the latest Iranian calendar year (March 21, 2014- March 21, 2015) tripled from the year prior.

He made the remark in the western city of Sanandaj while attributing the trend partly to a reform in visa-issuance policies over recent years, Mehr News Agency reported.

Referring to the worldwide growth in tourism, Shirkavand urged more measures to be taken to develop industry in Iran.

Iran is seen as one of the world’s top potential tourist destinations, as it contains a countless number of ancient sites. The country ranks fourth in Asia and first in the Middle East in terms of the number of world heritage sites, with an impressive 17 historic sites that have been added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Shirkavand stressed that President Hassan Rouhani values tourism greatly and is firmly determined to consolidate tourism infrastructures in Iran.

Rouhani hopes to attract 10 million international tourists each year.

Iran’s Vice President Massoud Soltanifar, who is also the head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization, recounted that 5.1 million foreigners visited Iran in 2014 while the number is expected to reach 20 million by 2025.

Within the framework of the plans to develop the tourism industry, Iran has recently revoked visa requirements for nationals of seven countries. Citizens of Turkey, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bolivia, Egypt, and Syria can travel to Iran without a visa, according to a report published by the Iranian media.

In early August, Soltanifar said Iran issues 30-day visas for all coming tourists at all ports of entry into Iran with an additional 15 day allowance, compared to the prior 15-day maximum visas.

Iran – with an ancient history, mix of cultures, different climatic zones, and beautiful nature –is taking measures to boost the tourism sector, which has been neglected after the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

After clinching the nuclear deal, interest towards the country has grown from the Western countries that earlier cut all ties with Iran.

Some European countries are now easing travel restrictions to the Islamic country, which could provide sudden impetus to develop the Iran’s tourism industry.

The United Kingdom has recently relaxed its official travel advisory on visiting Iran, following the historic nuclear deal agreed in mid-July.