TEHRAN – The “Ardabil 2023” event presents a good opportunity for the northwestern province to boost foreign tourism, the deputy tourism minister has said.

“Developing foreign tourism in the province can be made easier through the ‘Ardabil 2023’ event,” Ali-Asghar Shalbafian explained on Monday.

The province shares cultural and religious similarities with a number of the countries in the region and ECO members, which makes it an attractive travel destination, the official added.

In order to make sure that the event will be held as well as possible, the province must organize meetings with related organizations to make the necessary arrangements for the start of the festival, he noted.

In 2019, Ardabil along with Sari, the capital of Mazandaran province, were selected as the cultural capitals of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Last April, the tourism authorities of the province announced that they have developed extensive plans to draw more tourists during the winter to the province and make it the winter tourism hub of the country.

Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardabil is well known for having abundant natural beauty, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and the Shrine Ensemble.

The province is freezing in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

ABU/AM