TEHRAN (Mehr News Agency) –- Managing director of Iranian Tourism Agency in Tokyo (ITO) is convinced that many Japanese tourism agencies are willing to boost their cooperation with Iran in tourism industry.

Mohammad Sorournia added that Japanese tourism agencies express their eagerness in dispatching tourists to Iran.

Organized by Mostazafan and Janbazan Foundation Tourism Organization, ITO was participating in the 3-day exhibit recently held in Yokohama, Japan.

Sorournia added that the head of Japanese J.T.B Tourism Company has announced readiness to boost tourism cooperation between Tehran and Tokyo.

In spite of decline in the number of Japanese tourists to Iran due to the recent war in Iraq, the head stated that the future of Iranian tourism industry is promising.

Pointing to the role of mass media in developing the industry, J.T.B head further noted that in his recent trip to Tehran, he has closely observed that Iran is a safe and cheap country for the world tourists.

Sorournia also mentioned that Japanese people do not have enough knowledge about Iran, leading to the decrease in the number of tourists.

Over 100 countries had participated in the exhibit, which is hoping to revive the tourism industry in Asia.