TEHRAN - Foreign passenger entries through the Nordooz border, located in Aras Free Zone, have surged by 55% in the course of the last Persian year (ended in March 2024).

An official with the Aras Free Zone Organization, speaking on Saturday, revealed that the number of inbound tourists entering through the Nordooz border was increased by 55% reaching 161,067, compared to the same figure of a year earlier.

In line with introducing the tourism and historical attractions of the region, numerous familiarization tours have been held for Armenian travel agencies, leading to an increase in the entry of inbound passengers from the Nordooz border, Mohsen Mohammadzadeh continued.

He also pinpointed that the development of logistics at the border and increased communication with the Armenian Tourism Federation are among the main reasons for the increase in inbound trips through the Nordooz border.

Mohammadzadeh emphasized the need to maximize the use of the capacities of the world-famous Saint Stepanos and Chupan churches to attract Armenian tourists.

The official also stated that last year, information infrastructure in the Nordooz area was completed to guide inbound travelers towards the historical attractions and geopark of Aras.
“Armenia is a tourist-friendly country,” he added. “And one of the organization’s strategies is to establish combined tours to attract tourists of other nationalities traveling to Armenia.”

Moreover, Mohammadzadeh announced formation of a specialized committee to attract foreign tourists, focusing on neighboring countries.

“With the formation of this committee, we aim to create specialized communications, introduce tourism capacities and attractions,” the official elaborated. “And ultimately attract more foreign tourists to the region.”

The Aras Free Zone is located in the northwest of Iran. Established in 2005, it spans an area of approximately 51,000 hectares and is strategically positioned along major transportation routes connecting Europe to Asia. The free zone aims to promote economic growth and international trade by offering various incentives and benefits to businesses and investors.

The Aras Free Zone is also known for its efforts to promote tourism and cultural exchange. The region boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, with attractions such as ancient monuments, religious sites, and natural landscapes.
Overall, the Aras Free Zone plays a vital role in Iran’s economic development strategy, serving as a gateway for international trade and investment while also promoting regional tourism.

XF