As we celebrate World Tourism Day 2024 under the theme “Tourism and Peace,” it is crucial to reflect on the profound role that the sector plays not only in economic development but also in promoting peace, mutual understanding, and reconciliation among nations.

For Iran, a country rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, the theme is particularly relevant as it regards tourism as a bridge to foster international goodwill and cultural exchange.

Tourism at its heart, is more than an industry. It seems like a human endeavor that brings people from different cultures together.

It allows visitors to step into another world, to understand the other’s history, traditions, and values, and in turn, it helps challenge their own stereotypes and prejudices.

For example, the majority of foreign nationals, particularly from Western countries, find Iran far more different than they initially expected.

In fact, many of them have said that their perceptions, previously shaped by anti-Iran propaganda spread by mainstream media, had changed upon experiencing the country firsthand.

The Iranian tourism minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has recently emphasized that tourism is a priority for the country. “With our vast historical sites, beautiful natural landscapes, and a culture of hospitality, Iran has immense potential as a travel destination,” he said earlier this month.

Although, there is a long way to go, this year’s motto, inspires us to look at tourism as a bridge to peace and to a more understanding and interconnected global community.

AM