TEHRAN - Ali-Asghar Shalbafian, the Deputy for Tourism at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, has revealed a remarkable 52% increase in foreign tourist arrivals to Iran during the first 10 months of this year.

The revelation took place at the opening ceremony of the 17th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition on Monday. Shalbafian emphasized that a staggering 5.4 million foreign tourists visited Iran during this period, showcasing a substantial 52% growth compared to the same timeframe last year.

Highlighting the scale of this year's exhibition, held in 20 halls spanning 60,000 square meters, Shalbafian noted that the event was inaugurated by Ebrahim Raisi, the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organization Zurab Pololikashvili.

The exhibition boasted a strong international presence, with 12 countries hosting booths, 13 foreign delegations in attendance, and active participation from 68 booths representing various countries.

Expressing gratitude for Raisi’s administration focused attention on the tourism sector, Shalbafian cited a remarkable 1,607 projects currently underway. 

In conclusion, the Deputy for Tourism highlighted the President's dedicated focus on the tourism sector, mentioning 13 transformative plans under direct presidential supervision. One of these plans aims to attract more foreign tourists to the country. 

The 17th Iran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition 2024 has kicked off at the Tehran International Permanent Fairground on February 12. This exhibition is considered Iran's premier tourism industry event.