TEHRAN – Iran’s annual income from tourism industry reached over $7 billion by hosting over five million foreign tourists, the director of Iran’s Cultural Heritage Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) Masud Soltanifar told in a meeting in Yazd on Tuesday.

Iran has several natural, historical and religious potentials to attract tourists from all over the world, he said.

He also pointed out to over one million historical monuments and sites, which are existed in the country.
Alongside with historical attractions, many Western tourists are interested in Iran’s deserts, which is considered as an opportunity in tourism section, he added.

Iran is expected to reach over $30 billion annual income in the Solar Calendar Year 1404 (2025) by hosting more than 20 million tourists, he added.

Facilities in issuing of visa, domestic and foreign transportation and establishment of offices to attract foreign tourists are amongst the plans to boost the industry, he added.

Half of foreign tourists in Iran are Muslims who plan to visit holy shrines, he added.

Ha called Iran one of the important destinations of Halal tourism which has the ability to attract Muslims around the world.

During his speech, he named Yazd as one of the must-see destinations in Iran.

According to Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), Iran is the most affordable country for tourists amongst the 141 countries.
Egypt appeared on the second rank and the next country is Indonesia. Price Competitiveness in the Tourism and Travel Industry is the lower costs related to travel in a country increase its attractiveness for many travelers as well as for investing in the T&T sector.

------------- Yazd: A living museum for all

According to UNESCO, Yazd is one of the oldest towns in the world - every visitor should spend a few hours getting completely lost in this living museum. Look out for the tall wind-towers (Badgirs) on rooftops, designed to catch even the lightest breeze and direct them to underground living rooms. In the hot summers they are very necessary, and healthier than modern air-conditioning.

The building styles are simple, traditional and quite exotic compared with the uniformity of most of the other large towns of Iran. The town is the color of clay, from the sun-dried bricks. The residential quarters appear almost deserted (but they aren't) because of the high walls, protecting the houses from the very narrow and liberty Hineh- Kuchehs (alleys) crisscrossing the town.

Amir Chakhmagh (Governor of Yazd) is a well preserved 14th century mosque was built on the site of a 12th century building. Also designed by the wife of Amir chakmagh, this small set of buildings contains a small, decaying bazaar and the crumbling Masjed-e Tekieh (Tekieh mosque).

Dowlat Abad Garden is an interesting residence of the former ruler, Karim Khnn Zand, which was built in about 1 750. It is renowned for having the highest Badgir in the old city, standing more than 33m high. The stained glass windows are also a delight.

Jame Mosque dominates the old city, with its remarkably high, tiled entrance portal, flanked with an magnificent minarets and adorned with an inscription from the 15th century. The beautiful mosaics on the dome and on the Mehrab are also superb. The interior of the mosque is cleverly ventilated and well lit.

PHOTO: Masud Soltanifar makes speech during a meeting on Tuesday in Yazd, which is attened by Iran's First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri (second from left) (Es’haq Jahangiri/IRNA).

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