TEHRAN - On Wednesday, Mohammad Karimi, the Parliamentary Director of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, highlighted the positive experiences of foreign tourists visiting Iran, countering misconceptions spread by “adversaries”.

Karimi commended the Iranian government’s recent decision to cancel visas for citizens of 32 countries, considering it an effective measure against “Iranophobia”.

Speaking to IRNA, the official emphasized that tourists arriving in Iran encounter a different reality from what is falsely portrayed by detractors. He stated that these visitors convey the truth to the rest of the world, affirming Iran as a beautiful and safe destination.

Referring to the recently approved Seventh National Development Plan (2023-2027), Karimi underscored its significance for the tourism and handicraft industries.

The official noted that, for the first time, a separate section was dedicated to the ministry's responsibilities within the plan. He expressed satisfaction with the diverse provisions proposed by the government and strengthened by various parliamentary commissions.

Regarding investment incentives in the tourism sector, Karimi mentioned that the ministry has prepared numerous regulations to facilitate investment. He also highlighted the special attention given to coastal tourism within this framework.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Karimi asserted that tourism could serve as a viable alternative source of income for the government, particularly considering the limitations and specificity of existing revenue sources.

He stressed that members of the parliament are keenly aware of this importance, as reflected in discussions focusing on heritage preservation, historical sites, and enhancing tourism infrastructure.

Last month, the tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami said the impact of anti-Iran sentiments, fueled by the U.S. and some other Western powers, would be diminished by attracting more visitors to the ancient land.

The minister underlined Iran’s recent decision to waive visa requirements for 32 countries, which according to him, helped foil concerted efforts by adversaries, namely the United States and certain Western powers, to propagate Iranophobia.

“Despite the concerted efforts of some countries to dissuade their citizens from visiting Iran and to create a negative perception, the personal experience of tourists visiting the historical and cultural sites of Iran has effectively dispelled these apprehensions.”

“The attempts made by enemies to create Iranophobia among various nations cannot overshadow the eagerness of some foreign nationals to explore Iran's attractions,” Zarghami said.

The minister also underlined the importance of tourism being substituted petrodollars as he referred to the crucial role of tourism as a “clean industry” for the country's economic future.

“We cannot solely rely on the nation's oil resources for economic sustenance. The future economic growth of Iran is intricately tied to the flourishing tourism industry,” Zarghami added.

The Iranian government has agreed to abolish visa requirements for passport holders from 32 countries and waive visas for tourist groups from Russia. The visa-waiver program was approved for India, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Belarus, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

The Islamic Republic has previously had cancelations with some countries like Turkey, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria, in various forms - unilateral, bilateral, and group visa cancelations, including airport visas, which were implemented in some cases.

The latest data provided by the tourism ministry suggests the number of foreign arrivals in the country reached 4.4 million during the first eight months of the current Iranian year (started on March 21), which shows 48.5 percent compared to that of last year.

The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 27 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

AM