Developing Domestic Tourism Key to Attracting Foreign Visitors

TEHRAN (Iran News) Speaking on the sidelines of the exhibition, Hamzehzadeh said that boosting domestic tourism is a prerequisite for drawing more foreign visitors. He highlighted that a well-developed domestic tourism infrastructure creates a solid foundation for catering to international tourists and showcases the region’s capacity to provide quality services. He noted that this approach is a strategic part of East Azerbaijan’s tourism development plan.

“Developing domestic tourism is our priority,” Hamzehzadeh said, “because it paves the way for increasing the number of foreign tourists. Without strengthening our domestic sector, we cannot expect sustainable growth in international tourism.”

Hamzehzadeh pointed out the success of this year’s National Handicrafts and International Tourism Exhibition in Tabriz, which attracted significant attention both nationally and internationally. The event, covering an area of 11,000 square meters, featured 220 handicrafts pavilions, 70 tourism-related pavilions, and other attractions such as vintage car displays. The exhibition, which has been approved to be held annually every October, saw a strong turnout and received widespread appreciation.

Hamzehzadeh expressed his satisfaction with the event’s success, acknowledging the collaboration of the Association of Tourism Organizations of East Azerbaijan in organizing it. The exhibition’s success, he said, underscores the province’s growing role as a tourist destination, and efforts are being made to further enhance its appeal in the future.

East Azerbaijan has witnessed significant growth in its tourism sector over the past year, according to Hamzehzadeh. He reported that over 2.5 million people stayed in the province during the summer season, with total visitors exceeding 11 million. Hotel occupancy rates surged to 95%, a testament to the province’s rising popularity. Museums across the province also saw high foot traffic, with 870,000 people visiting these cultural sites.

He noted that these figures reflect a broader trend of increased interest in the region, which the provincial authorities are working to sustain by improving infrastructure and expanding accommodation options. Currently, 118 tourism projects worth 46,000 billion tomans are underway in East Azerbaijan, accounting for 10% of the entire country’s tourism projects.

To further boost tourism, Hamzehzadeh revealed that the province has prepared 100 investment packages for potential investors interested in participating in tourism-related projects. This initiative aims to attract both domestic and international investments to accelerate the development of tourism infrastructure, including hotels and recreational facilities.

Hamzehzadeh also highlighted the ongoing efforts to improve East Azerbaijan’s hospitality sector, noting that the province currently has 86 active hotels, including five five-star establishments. An additional 45 hotels are nearing completion, which will provide even more options for both domestic and international tourists.

While the focus remains on developing domestic tourism, Hamzehzadeh stressed that East Azerbaijan is actively promoting its attractions to foreign tourists as well. The province has participated in numerous international tourism exhibitions in key target markets to raise awareness about its unique offerings. As a result, the number of foreign visitors to the province reached over 370,000 last year, with 86,000 international tourists visiting in the first half of the current year.

However, Hamzehzadeh acknowledged that the recent developments in the region has impacted on the arrival of the tourists into the country and therefore the province has been affected by it. Despite these hurdles, the province has still experienced a 10% increase in foreign tourist numbers this year.

To enhance its international appeal, East Azerbaijan has prepared promotional materials in seven languages, showcasing the province’s diverse tourism opportunities to potential visitors from around the world.

In addition to tourism, East Azerbaijan’s rich handicrafts industry plays a vital role in attracting visitors. Hamzehzadeh highlighted that more than 30,000 people are employed in the handicrafts sector, which adds cultural depth to the province’s tourism offerings. He reiterated that the handicrafts exhibition, part of the larger tourism event, was a success and showcased the region’s unique artistic traditions.

He concluded by outlining the department’s goals for the future, which include continuing to develop a positive image of East Azerbaijan and enhancing its appeal to both domestic and foreign tourists. He expressed optimism about the future of tourism in the province, despite challenges such as lower-than-expected foreign participation in the recent exhibition, due to ongoing international developments.

By prioritizing the development of domestic tourism, East Azerbaijan aims to create a robust foundation that will not only improve the local economy but also pave the way for sustained development.

The 11th National Handicrafts and 3rd International Tourism Exhibition were held in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, on October 16-19.