TEHRAN – In an effort to extend its tourism market, Isfahan played hostess to a group of Russian travel insiders on Wednesday.

A pivotal meeting in Isfahan brought together a 12-member delegation of Russian tourism professionals and key figures from Isfahan’s tourism sector, aiming to enhance economic and cultural ties through tourism development.
Isfahan province, boasting more than seven thousand years of civilizational history, and higher than 22,000 historical sites, make a great destination for Russian tourists, said Isfahan’s director-general of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts during the meeting.
In his address, Amir Karamzadeh highlighted the region’s diverse climate and natural and wildlife varieties, which present significant opportunities for developing tourism relations with Russia.

“In this meeting, we aimed to foster a friendly dialogue to ensure both countries can benefit economically from the tourism industry,” he further elaborated.
Isfahan, he brought to light, hosts approximately 150 tourism events annually, which could be highly attractive to international tourists.
To facilitate better planning for sides, a schedule of these events, along with their cultural and tourism features, will be provided to the Russian tourism professionals, according to Karamzadeh.

He also expressed Isfahan International Airport’s readiness to establish direct flights between Isfahan and various parts of Russia.
Karamzadeh hoped that the Russian delegation would take advantage of Isfahan’s historical attractions and tourism infrastructure, particularly in the field of health tourism, which is very cost-effective for foreign tourists.
In a bid to position itself as a top tourist spot for Russians, Iran has been implementing several measures to ease travel and enhance accessibility.
Last year, Iran and Russia implemented a visa-free exchange program, allowing travelers as part of tour groups to arrive without the hassle of obtaining a visa.
This move has notably sparked more interest among Iranian tourists compared to their Russian counterparts.
Statistics reveal a significant contrast in the utilization of this opportunity. By the end of 2023, around 29.5 thousand travelers from Iran had journeyed to Russia, while the reverse route saw only about 10.7 thousand people heading to Iran.
To further stimulate tourism from Russia, relevant authorities from the two countries are actively working on enabling payments with “Mir” cards within the Islamic Republic. This initiative aims to streamline financial transactions for Russian travelers, enhancing their overall experience in Iran.
While these efforts are expected to bolster tourism, representatives from Russian tour operators remain cautious about the country’s potential to become a mainstream destination for Russians in the near future. Darya Domostroyeva from “Intourist” highlights that despite growing demand, Russian tourists still lack substantial knowledge about Iran and its recreational opportunities.
XF/AM