TEHRAN – An important priority of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is a more efficient implementation of “Ardabil 2023”, the Secretary-General of ECO has said.

It is the priority of the ECO to ensure a better organization of the “Ardabil 2023” event, Khosro Nazeri said in a meeting with the tourism officials of the northwestern province on Tuesday, IRNA reported.

Eco is willing to actively participate in all “Ardabil 2023” events since this is an important year for the development of the province’s tourism, he added.

Ardabil will also host the 5th ECO Ministerial Meeting on Tourism, a key event for the tourism development and prosperity of the member countries, he noted.

Back in February, the province’s tourism chief said that “Ardabil 2023” offers the chance to create wealth for the local community of the province.

Residents of the province should be able to benefit from the outcome of this event by creating jobs and wealth, he noted.

A global introduction of Ardabil should also be a top priority in this event, the official added.

Last July, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami said that the “Ardabil 2023” event would be a great opportunity to promote the province on an international scale.

As “Ardabil 2023” approaches, it is necessary to make the most of the opportunity to introduce the province internationally and to build infrastructure in the province, the minister said.

Ardabil province is rich in cultural heritage and tourism, but suffers from a lack of investment and infrastructure, he added.

Ardabil’s potential in tourism, as well as tourists’ interest in visiting this province, has created the need for better infrastructure and investments in this field, he explained.

In 2019, Ardabil along with Sari, the capital of Mazandaran province, were selected as the cultural capitals of the Economic Cooperation Organization for 2022 and 2023, respectively.

Last April, the tourism authorities of the province announced that they had developed extensive plans to draw more tourists during the winter to the province and make it the winter tourism hub of the country.

Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardabil is well known for having abundant natural beauty, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and the Shrine Ensemble.

The province is freezing in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardabil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

ABU/AM