TEHRAN – Isfahan and Saint Petersburg are considering the development of tourism cooperation, a local official said on Thursday.

Working groups from Isfahan province and counterparts from Russia’s Saint Petersburg and Moscow are scheduled to explore ways to develop tourism ties, Majid Shams said.

“One of the most important policies of the [Iranian] government is to expand economic and cultural cooperation with neighboring countries, therefore, there is a serious determination in Isfahan province to increase cooperation with various provinces of neighboring countries,” the official explained.

The official voiced hope that fresh consultations would cultivate a mutually sustainable development. “I hope that the exchange of views between the delegations paves the way to establish a sustainable development in the fields of economy, cultural, and tourism between the two countries.”

Isfahan’s delegation is to pay visits to science and technology centers as well as tourism establishments in Moscow and St. Petersburg, he said.

Earlier in September, tourism insiders and officials from the two countries exchanged views on education, hotel management, holding joint exhibitions, and introducing tours and investments, among other issues.

In addition, they discussed prospects of a possible visa waiver for tourist groups, based on an agreement that former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin inked in 2017.

Last year, an Iranian travel expert said many Russian tourists were eager to travel to Iran, an Iranian travel expert said on Monday, recounting his Russian counterparts. “Many [potential] Russian travelers are motivated to visit novel and lesser-known destinations such as Iran that could be a safe and attractive destination,” said Mostafa Sarvari, who presided over the tourism marketing and advertising office of the Iranian Tour Operators Association.

The Head of the Iranian Tour Operators Association Ebrahim Pourfaraj believes the majority of potential Russian travelers are unaware of the vast tourist attractions that exist in every corner of Iran. “The fact is that Iran’s political and economic relations with Russia are considered as good, but this has nothing to do with attracting tourists because it is directly connected with the Russian people. It is the Russian people who must choose Iran as their destination.”

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 26 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

AM