TEHRAN – In an attempt to attract both domestic and inbound tourists, Iran’s free zones have set sights on witnessing the arrival of more than three million inbound explorers along with millions of domestic travelers before this Persian year is out.

In a recent interview with Mehr, an official in charge of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of free zones revealed that 2,893,000 foreign tourists stopped in the Free zones across the country throughout the course of last Persian year [Mar. 2023-Mar. 2024].

Discussing the number of domestic tourists, Mohammad-Farzad Mirzaie-Qaleh outlined that more than 30 million non-local plates have been enumerated at the entrance points of the Free zones within the country.

“We have automatic number-plate recognition in place,” the official further explained, “which allows us to count non-local plates.”

Airports and ports’ arrivals are not calculated in this figure, Mirzaee-Qaleh added.

Highlighting the implemented infrastructures, the director-general pointed to the private sector as a cornerstone which invested a remarkably high volume of cash in the free zones’ tourism services sphere.

The director-general added that, given the substantial private sector investments within the free zones, there is an optimistic forecast of a 30% growth in tourism for 1403 solar year [2024-2025].

“For the first time, the budget planning for these areas will see a notable 27% increase with an eye toward smoothing the path of taking steps forward,” Mirzaee-Qalehe declared.

He also emphasized the initiatives aimed at attracting foreign tourists through overnight stays, stating that in the course of last year, the free zones hosted around 2,3893,000 million foreign visitors, with hopes to increase this figure to more than three and half million by the end of this year.

“To achieve this significant figure, we are coordinating with all relevant organizations,” Mirzaee Qaleh added, “especially the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.”

Citing an example of the plans in a bid to promote Iran’s free zones, the director-general mentioned the underway efforts to invite international bloggers and influencers.

Mirzaee-Qaleh in his concluding remarks, also disclosed that negotiations are underway with countries like Iraq, Oman and Afghanistan to bring in more tourism companies.

“If successful, we could see our visitor numbers even exceed three and half million,” he winded up.