TEHRAN – Tourism development in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province can be facilitated through Chabahar port, the deputy provincial tourism chief has said.

The Chabahar port is a hub for international trade among the Persian Gulf countries and can maximize the province’s tourism potential, Mojtaba Mirhosseini said on Monday.

Situated on the Makran shores, the port holds strategic importance in terms of transportation of goods and passengers along the Indian Ocean, the official added.

The port’s coastline is planned to be divided into nine areas allocated to industry, business, tourism, and residential use, he noted.

As one of the most important hubs of world trade in West Asia, Chabahar can contribute greatly to the development and economic growth of the region, he mentioned.

However, some measures, including developing tourism infrastructure and connecting Chabahar to the national railway, need to be done, he explained.

Chabahar is the only ocean port in Iran and the best and easiest access route of the middle Asian countries to free waters. Boasting various natural and historical attractions, Chabahar could be named one of the most underrated destinations in Iran. However, in recent years, various measures have been taken to promote the port as a safe and hospitable choice for both domestic and foreign visitors.

In 2019, the High Council of Free Trade Zones announced that it was ready to start construction of a new airport inside the Chabahar free trade zone. Currently, air travelers to Chabahar need to use the airport of Konarak city.

Currently, there are some 20 tourist resorts in Chabahar, including four hotels and eco-lodges. The collective province - Sistan in the north and Baluchestan in the south- accounts for one of the driest regions of Iran with a slight increase in rainfall from east to west and an obvious rise in humidity in the coastal regions. In ancient times, the region was a crossword in the Indus Valley and the Babylonian civilizations.

The vast province is home to several distinctive archaeological sites and natural attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and the Lut desert.

ABU/AM