10,000 Historical Coins Donated to Azerbaijan Museum
TEHRAN (Iran News) During the event, Salehi Amiri praised the Ministry’s role in safeguarding historical artifacts and emphasized the importance of preserving cultural heritage. He ceremonially handed over 1,000 of the donated coins to the Azerbaijan Museum as a symbolic gesture of the larger donation, marking the beginning of a new era for the museum’s collection.
“This significant contribution enriches our national heritage and demonstrates our commitment to preserving the country’s historical treasures,” Salehi Amiri said at the unveiling. He went on to underscore the role of heritage in shaping national identity and its potential for boosting tourism, particularly in regions like Tabriz, which has a deep cultural and historical background.
Earlier in the day, the Minister held meetings with local investors and tourism organizations in East Azerbaijan Province, where he discussed the region’s potential as a tourism hub. Tabriz, often regarded as the “gem of Iranian tourism,” was highlighted as a city that holds all 20 key indicators of tourism capacity, including its historical significance, cultural landmarks, and strategic location.
“Tabriz has all the potential to become a leading tourism destination in the country,” Salehi Amiri stated. “By activating its unique capacities, we can not only boost local tourism but also contribute significantly to the nation’s economy.”
He stressed the importance of investment—both domestic and foreign—in transforming the city’s tourism landscape. “The country’s progress depends on the active participation of private investors. We need to shift our approach towards investment and increase the involvement of the private sector to overcome obstacles in tourism development,” he added.
Salehi Amiri pointed out that empowering non-governmental organizations and local governments could greatly enhance tourism infrastructure. He praised countries like Georgia, which with a population of just 3.5 million, attracts millions of tourists annually, and emphasized that Tabriz has comparable potential if its capacities are fully utilized.
As part of his broader vision for the tourism sector, the Minister announced steps toward decentralizing governmental powers to provincial authorities. “We have transferred 25 responsibilities from Tehran to provincial offices, and we plan to continue delegating more authority to local governors, mayors, and provincial planning councils,” he said.
This policy shift aims to foster more localized decision-making, allowing regions like Tabriz to have greater control over their tourism development. Additionally, Salehi Amiri revealed ongoing negotiations with national banks to secure loans for cultural heritage and tourism projects, providing a much-needed financial boost to the sector.
During the ceremony, the mayor of Tabriz, Yaqoub Houshyar, also spoke about the city’s ambitious plans for tourism development. He highlighted several ongoing initiatives aimed at revitalizing Tabriz’s historical sites and infrastructure, including the Rab’-e Rashidi complex, a 13-hectare cultural and historical site that the municipality hopes to transform into a major tourist attraction.
“The Rab’-e Rashidi complex has the potential to become a cultural and tourism hub if national funds are allocated for its restoration,” Houshyar noted. He added that Tabriz’s tourism infrastructure is being developed through strategic programs, including the allocation of over 1 trillion tomans in the municipal budget for tourism-related projects.
Among other initiatives, the mayor announced the construction of four new hotels, with the city waiving construction fees and issuing free permits to encourage private investment in the hospitality sector. Houshyar also mentioned plans to convert the iconic Clock Mansion into a museum and establish new museums, such as the Water and Fire Museum, further enhancing the city’s appeal to tourists.
“Our collaborations with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts are key to returning Tabriz to its rightful place as a leader in Iran’s tourism industry,” Houshyar emphasized.
The unveiling of the historical coins, combined with the Minister’s emphasis on local investment and authority, signals a new chapter for Tabriz’s tourism and cultural sectors. With its rich history and strategic initiatives in place, the city is poised to become a major destination for both domestic and international tourists.
As the event came to a close, the mood was one of optimism. The donation of the 10,000 coins not only enriches the Azerbaijan Museum’s collection but also underscores the broader effort to protect Iran’s cultural heritage while driving economic growth through tourism.
By focusing on heritage preservation and fostering investor confidence, officials are confident that Tabriz will soon emerge as a top-tier tourism destination, contributing significantly to the national economy and showcasing the country’s historical treasures to the world.
