Iran’s Travel Agencies Ready to Launch Tourism Corridor With Egypt

TEHRAN (Iran News) According to ILNA, quoting the public relations office of the Iranian Association of Air Travel and Tourism Services Offices, Hormatollah Rafiei, President of the Association, expressed optimism about the renewed possibility of establishing tourism connections. Rafiei has traveled to Cairo three times under the 13th government to represent Iran’s tourism sector and sign a comprehensive tourism agreement with Egyptian travel agencies.

“Everything was prepared for reopening the tourism route between Iran and Egypt. We even signed a complete memorandum of understanding,” said Rafiei. “However, at that time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not approve of the private sector initiating tourism relations and effectively blocked the process.”

Rafiei criticized the previous foreign ministry for repeatedly giving interviews that prevented the agreement from being implemented. He welcomed the recent visit of Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, to Cairo to attend the D-8 summit, during which the minister discussed visa waivers and establishing tourism links with Egyptian authorities.

He noted that Egyptian nationals have long enjoyed visa-free access to Iran, and the only remaining hurdle to tourism exchanges is the absence of direct flights. “If tourism relations resume, they won’t face visa issues — just the lack of direct air routes,” he said.

Rafiei emphasized that the private sector is not concerned with who facilitates the reestablishment of tourism ties, as long as it benefits the country and the tourism industry. He also highlighted the cultural, religious, and historical similarities between the two nations, adding that many Egyptians feel a close affinity toward Iran.

He expressed hope that recent diplomatic steps will soon open the long-awaited Iran-Egypt tourism corridor. “The private sector is fully ready to support the government in making this happen,” Rafiei said. “We’ve already done our part and are willing to continue.”

He also cited the Supreme Leader’s remarks encouraging stronger ties with Egypt and other Islamic countries, expressing hope that regional policies will soon lead to the resumption of direct flights and full tourism relations between Tehran and Cairo.

Currently, the number of Iranian tourists visiting Egypt is virtually zero, as most Iranian travelers to the country use second passports and reside abroad. In contrast, Egyptian tourists have always been able to visit Iran freely.

Rafiei concluded by reiterating the private sector’s preparedness to collaborate with the government to rapidly activate the Iran-Egypt tourism corridor and reestablish bilateral tourism ties after over 40 years of disconnect.