TEHRAN - More than a century has passed since mankind scientifically recognized the economic and cultural significance of tourism and traveling, driven by recreational, religious, medical, and sports purposes.

While most countries are eager to develop tourism and have even made plans and policies in this regard, it is essential to replace mere wishes and beautiful rhetoric with well-researched and practical steps.

Why is tourism our priority? The answer is simple: Iran possesses abundant historical and natural resources and an immense potential for travel. It is just important to enhance essential security and welfare infrastructures with the help of private investors.

What should we do as policymakers and overseers to achieve this goal?

- Laying the ground for reaching consensus among decision-makers and stakeholders, with a unified understanding that tourism development is a strategic priority for the country.

- Acknowledging this fact, the tourism industry has a direct and strong connection with security.

Many scientific researches over the past century have proven that any country considered secure has witnessed growth in private investment and an increase in foreign arrivals. Thus, after changing our perspective, the enhancement of public security should be prioritized. Here, security does not only refer to its visible, tangible aspects, such as preventing theft or threats to tourists’ lives, but also includes psychological, political, social, and cultural dimensions.

- Intensifying efforts to expand the required infrastructure, such as roads, airports, hotels, and public transportation through stepped-up investment, which is highly dependent on the previously mentioned factors.

- Recognizing that behavioral modification and professionalizing it relies heavily on training for the public and private sectors. Fortunately, Iran enjoys a profound tradition of hospitality that makes our efforts somewhat easier yet enhances our soft power.

As the government’s representative in this sector, I place the greatest hope in the private sector and our people. Furthermore, I see the most challenging task as changing the bureaucratic mentality to understand the necessity of adopting professional behavior, which, God willing, will ultimately benefit both the nation and the government.

Recently, I read an official report from an international scientific journal stating that 85% of tourists returning from Iran say that their perception of lifestyle, prosperity, and public security in the country had positively changed their mindset.

Isn’t the people-to-people communication the best way to counter the spread of anti-Iranian sentiments known as “Iranophobia”? Isn’t the development of a sustainable tourism industry the best alternative to the sale of crude, mineral resources, and raw materials?

From here, I invite ambassadors, chargé d’affaires, and economic attachés, through a policy of tourism diplomacy, to pay more attention to the opportunities provided by Iran’s unilateral visa waivers with various countries and the joint investment policies between the nations. We are ready and welcoming.

AM