TEHRAN - Maku Free Zone could host loads of international tourists annually if relevant laws are properly enforced and tourism infrastructure is strengthened, said the free zone’s CEO.

In an interview with CHTN, Hossein Garousi highlighted Maku Free Zone’s strategic location as a gateway to Europe.
“Each year, numerous travelers cross the Bazargan border into Turkey and other countries, and vice versa, many tourists enter Iran through this border,” he stated.

Garousi pointed out the diverse tourism opportunities in Maku Free Zone, citing attractions such as the UNESCO world heritage sites of Saint Thaddeus Monastery and Dzordzor Chapel.
The region, the CEO added, also boasts natural attractions like the Soraya Springs and hot springs, and hosts annual sports events like paragliding and fishing competitions.

The CEO further highlighted the presence of the largest modern orchard in the Middle East, covering 209 hectares with pistachio and walnut trees, which could boost agricultural tourism in the region.

Despite these assets, Gerousi highlighted that administrative bureaucracy hinders progress.
“We currently have two upscale hotels in the free zone,” he explained, “But hotel equipment often remains stuck in customs for over seven or eight months, delaying projects.”
According to the law, the CEO underscored, equipment should enter free zones without paying duties, but enforcement issues persist.

Garousi highlighted that more than 7,000 foreign Christians visit Saint Thaddeus Monastery and Dzordzor Chapel annually, even though suitable accommodations are lacking. “Imagine the potential increase in tourist numbers if proper infrastructure were in place,” he said.

The 13th government has invested some $ 15 million in Maku Free Zone’s tourism sector, the CEO brought to light.
Key projects include the construction of a zip line and a tourist resort village, the establishment of an eco-lodge, the completion of the first phase of the Iranian Park recreational and entertainment center, and the development of the Sam recreational, tourist, and sports complex featuring a cable car, ski resort, and four-star hotel on the Qare Khach tourism route.

These initiatives, if successfully implemented, could transform Maku Free Trade Zone into a premier tourism destination, driving both economic growth and employment, he winded up.

XF/AM