TEHRAN – The northern Mazandaran province, which is bounded by the Caspian Sea and the towering Alborz range, is in the process of formulating a comprehensive tourism plan.

On Tuesday, Hossein Izadi, the provincial tourism chief, revealed that the comprehensive tourism plan is currently being drafted, with its preliminary outline undergoing preparation.

Mazandaran, often hailed as one of Iran's natural and cultural jewels, beckons millions of domestic travelers with its diverse landscapes and rich heritage.

According to the official, the initiation of this comprehensive tourism plan signals a commitment to enhancing the tourism experience for both domestic and international visitors.

The plan is designed to focus on elevating the quality of tourism services in Mazandaran while preserving and showcasing the region’s cultural and historical treasures. These include upgrading accommodation facilities, establishing active and engaging tourist centers, promoting local arts and handicrafts, and offering diverse tours to explore the unique attractions.

The picture-perfect province has long been a highly popular destination for domestic travelers. Its varied nature features plains, prairies, forests, and rainforests stretching from the sandy beaches of the Caspian Sea to the rugged and snowcapped Alborz sierra, including Mount Damavand, one of the highest peaks and volcanos in Asia. More than 800 registered historical and cultural sites, 338 km of shoreline, mineral springs in jungles and mountains, waterfalls, and caves are among the major tourist attractions in the province.

Goal of attracting two million foreign tourists per annum

Last September, Mazandaran’s governor general announced a development program to attract more foreign tourists, saying “We have set a goal to host two million foreign tourists per annum by the end of the current Iranian administration [of President Ebrahim Raisi].”

In terms of having diverse and numerous capacities in the historical, natural, and cultural fields, Mazandaran is the center of the presence of millions of travelers from within the country, but the fact that these capacities have remained unknown for potential foreign travelers, Seyyed Mahmoud Hosseinipour explained.

AFM