Private Sector: The Pillar of Tourism Development

TEHRAN (Iran News) Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri welcomed tourism advocates and those passionate about Iran’s progress at a meeting with Mohammad Reza Aref, Vice President, and private sector investors in the tourism industry. The meeting took place on Saturday, January 12, 2025, in the Fajr Hall of the ministry. He highlighted Mr. Aref’s strong support for the tourism sector and his emphasis on treating tourism as a critical platform for national development.

Salehi Amiri explained that tourism is deeply connected to three key factors: attractiveness, security, and infrastructure. He elaborated on Iran’s cultural heritage and its tourism potential, noting that Iran ranks seventh globally in terms of attractiveness and is regarded as an “archaeological paradise.” Every excavation reveals the country’s rich history and heritage.

The minister pointed out the global media’s campaign to create fear about Iran and present a distorted image of the country. He affirmed that there are serious and strategic programs in place to change global public perception and counter this narrative.

Highlighting the private sector as a cornerstone of tourism infrastructure, Salehi Amiri mentioned 2,700 active projects across the country with a total investment of 570 trillion tomans. He emphasized that facilitating investment and delegating responsibilities to the private sector is the government’s main strategy. The government’s policy focuses on stepping back from executive roles and prioritizing oversight and support.

Salehi Amiri also described diplomatic efforts to attract tourists as part of the government’s policy, noting, “We have engaged in discussions with tourism ministers of many countries, stressing that government relations should not hinder connections between nations.”

He referred to Iran’s 1,400 hotels and 455,000 beds, adding that to achieve the seventh development plan’s goal of attracting 15 million tourists, infrastructure must be transformed. The number of beds must reach one million, along with the need for 550 airplanes and expanded railway networks.

Discussing over fifty individual and group meetings with private investors, Salehi Amiri identified bureaucracy, limited financial aid, and tax issues as the main challenges raised, underscoring the need to address them.

He noted that 550 hotels are under construction, requiring 370 trillion tomans for completion. Following negotiations, 150 trillion tomans in loans will be provided by the Central Bank, and 50 trillion tomans by the National Development Fund. Priority will be given to projects that are more than 70% complete.

In conclusion, Salehi Amiri stressed that embassies must actively promote tourism in target countries.