TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Ezzatollah Zarghami, has said a total of 426 projects within the three domains of the ministry will be inaugurated during the Ten-Day Dawn celebrations, which marks the 45th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.

“In the blessed days of Fajr (Ten-Day Dawn), 426 projects related to the ministries of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts will be inaugurated throughout the country, creating 5,182 job opportunities,” Zarghami stated on Wednesday.

Addressing the press after a cabinet meeting, Zarghami emphasized that these projects are set to create 5182 job opportunities across the country.

Zarghami detailed that the projects, valued at 91 trillion rials (some $182,000 million), cover a wide range of initiatives within the cultural heritage, tourism, and handicraft sectors.

The endeavor aims to not only boost the country’s tourism infrastructure but also contribute significantly to the economy by generating employment opportunities.

Among the noteworthy highlights, the minister revealed the opening of two 5-star hotels in Mashhad and Fars province. Additionally, smaller-scale projects related to handicrafts and cultural heritage will also be unveiled during this period.

“With the inauguration of these projects in the tourism sector, 5,611 beds will be added to the accommodation facilities,” Zarghami added, highlighting the significant impact these developments will have on Iran’s tourism infrastructure.

The minister’s announcement reflects the Iranian government’s commitment to enhancing the country’s cultural and tourism sectors, promoting economic growth, and creating employment opportunities for its citizens.

A landmark decision

 Iran’s previously approved visa waiver for passport holders from 32 countries is set to take effect on February 4.

According to the Deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Iranian Expatriates Affairs, citizens of the designated countries, as announced earlier, will no longer require visas to travel to Iran starting from February 4.

Instead, they can simply purchase a ticket to visit the country, Alireza Bigdeli said on Wednesday.

“The move is part of an initiative aimed at promoting tourism and easing travel restrictions for visitors from selected nations.”

The official noted the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has communicated the executive guidelines for the unilateral visa waiver with certain countries to the relevant authorities.

“The decision helps foil negative advertisements, rumors, and fear-mongering about Iran,” Zarghami said. “The scheme is expected to usher in a new era of tourism development for Iran; a new chapter of prosperity and tourism development that puts an end to negative propaganda and Iranophobia.”

The visa-waiver program was reportedly approved for India, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Indonesia, Brunei, Japan, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brazil, Peru, Cuba, Mexico, Bolivia, Venezuela, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia, Belarus, Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Moreover, the Islamic Republic had previously had visited cancelations with some countries like Turkey, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria, in various forms - unilateral, bilateral, and group visa cancelations, including airport visas, which were implemented in some cases.  The privilege has been granted to tourist groups from Russia based on a mutual agreement inked between Tehran and Moscow.

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 27 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

AM