TEHRAN - The number of Russian tourists visiting Iran is projected to surpass 50,000 in 2024, according to an Iranian official.

“Last year, about 50,000 Russian tourists traveled to Iran and that figure is expected to reach a new high this year,” said Moslem Shojaei, who presides over the Office for Foreign Tourism Marketing and Development at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

Shojaei made the remarks in an address to an international tourism conference held in Moscow, IRNA reported on Friday. 

The official noted that over 60,000 Iranian tourists visited Russia last year, indicating that both countries have the potential to increase these numbers significantly.

Moreover, he highlighted a newly implemented visa waiver agreement for group travel between Iran and Russia, which allows groups of 5 to 50 citizens from either country to stay for up to 15 days without a visa.

“Russia and Iran both boast rich cultural, historical, and natural attractions, creating excellent conditions for mutual tourism exchange,” Shojaei said.

He emphasized the importance of taking joint steps to share experiences between the two countries, which will help boost tourism flows.

Earlier in May, Tehran’s ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali, extended an invitation to Russian firms to invest in Iran’s tourism infrastructure. Highlighting tourism as a significant potential area for collaboration, Jalali emphasized the opportunities for Russian firms to invest in developing Iran’s tourism infrastructure and building hotels.

Last year, Tehran and Moscow introduced a visa-free exchange program, allowing tour group travelers to visit without the hassle of obtaining a visa. Available data suggests that initially, the visa-simplification scheme sparked significantly more interest among Iranian tourists compared to their Russian counterparts.

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