TEHRAN -- Head of the Tour and Travel Department of Zanjan Province Seyed Mikaeil Moosavi, in an interview with the TEHRAN TIMES, said that more attention should be paid by the government officials to tourism industry in Zanjan Provin He said that creating proper links between cities with tourist attractions, establishment of recreation centers near tourist sites, encouraging investment in tourism sector and holding seminars on exploring practical ways to develop tourism industry are Touching on great potential of Zanjan province in the field of tourism, Moosavi said, "Zanjan Province is located on the main road which links Asia to Europe. Also, the existence of a variety of ancient monuments in this province and the eagerness of tou Zanjan Province is located northwest of Central Plateau. It is bordered on the east by Gilan and Qazvin provinces, on the south by Hamedan Province, on the west by Western Azarbaijan and Kordestan provinces and on the north by Ardebil and Eastern Azarbai Regarding the number of residential centers for tourists, Moosavi said, "Zanjan Province has one three-star hotel, two two-star hotels and one one-star hotel, which have a total of 214 beds and 116 rooms." He added that the construction of a four-star hotel in the province is under way.

Among the tourist attractions of Zanjan Province, Moosavi referred to several spas, Kotalehkhor Cave, Soltanieh Lawn, Soltanieh Dome, Prophet Qeidar's Tomb, Qezel-Ozon River, Papaee ski resort and Gavazang Recreation Ground. Touching on the measures so far taken to publicize tourist attractions of Zanjan Province, Moosavi said, "The province's Tour and Travel Department has only managed to prepare brochures and maquettes about the province's tourist attractions due to financ He further said that no considerable investment has so far been made in the province's tourism sector, adding, "Unfortunately, despite its various tourist attractions, the province is not often visited by the tourists, who only cross the province on thei According to Moosavi, some 85,350 tourists visited Zanjan Province last year, only 803 of whom were foreigners.

He noted that one of the main problems besetting Zanjan Province's tourism sector is government's failure to allocate needed credits to reconstruction and renovation of historical monuments in this province. Moosavi expressed hope that by introducing tourist attractions of the province, more domestic and foreign tourist visit Zanjan in the future. In conclusion Moosavi put emphasis on implementation of short and long-term programs in tourism sector and more coordination among tourism-related private and public organs.

He expressed hope that the current obstacles in the way of tourism development w