TEHRAN – A significant portion of the tourism potential of the northwestern province of Ardabil lies in water tourism, an official with the Regional Water Company of Ardabil has said.

With the entry of private sector investors and the utilization of the capabilities of the water sector in the province, the business environment will improve, and jobs will be created in this sector, IRNA quoted Karim Qarai as saying on Saturday.

Tourists and travelers will be attracted to the province’s water tourism with the development of its infrastructure, the official added.

Back in January, the provincial tourism chief announced that the tourism directorate of Ardabil sought to develop water tourism.

The use of water tourism capacities is one of Ardabil’s important tourism development strategies, he explained.

Investors in this area of tourism will be welcomed and supported, the official added.

Despite its arid climate, Iran’s tourism sector has tried to boost hydro tourism or water tourism in recent years.

This branch of tourism involves traveling to places specifically to take part in water-based activities. Some individuals who do not wish to partake in water-related activities embark on water tourism trips so that they can visit tourist sites that sit close to bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, dams, oceans, etc.

While water tourism often includes active chases, some water tourists visit islands and shore regions to join more relaxed pursuits such as diving or swimming. Travel businesses organize tours of coral reefs and arrange for local tour guides to preside over excursions on which travelers can swim with local marine life such as dolphins or even sharks. Some tour operators also cater to families who are primarily focused on swimming and tanning rather than interacting with aquatic life.

Water trips occasionally involve inland destinations, such as lakes and rivers. Holidaymakers can sail or swim on lakes while many rivers are ideally suited to whitewater rafting. Additionally, some leisure businesses operate water parks that contain swimming pools, water slides, and areas for kayaking or canoeing.

ABU/AM