TEHRAN – Tourism potentials of Iran, its cultural heritage, traditions, and handicrafts are in the limelight at the China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2017 (CITIE), which opened its doors to the public at the China Import and Export Fair Complex on September 8.

To add charms to Iran’s pavilion, its staff are clad in traditional garments as ensembles perform classical pieces of Iranian music, IRNA reported on Friday.

According to statistics provided by China’s travel agencies, over 150,000 Chinese people traveled to Iran in 2016, some 50,000 of them were native to southern provinces and visited Iran mainly for commercial purposes, IRNA wrote.

Over 50 countries and 22 Chinese provinces are taking part at the three-day expo that houses 4,500 standard booths across 90,000 square meters of area.

Iran hosts some of the world’s oldest cultural monuments, including 22 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and its varied terrain ranges from desert locales to ski resorts.

Iran has launched extensive plans to bolster its tourism sector. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, the country is expecting to increase the number of tourism arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

PHOTO: People visit Iran’s pavilion at the China (Guangdong) International Tourism Industry Expo 2017, September 8, 2017.

AFM/MG