TEHRAN – In an effort to familiarize Russians with Iran’s touristic capacities and culture, a guidebook has been published in Russian.

Speaking to IRNA, the director of the Ibn Sina Islamic Culture Research Foundation, highlighted that this book is the only Russian-language publication dedicated to Iran’s tourist attractions.

The guidebook, Hamid Hadavi outlined, features a foreword by Kazem Jalali, the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic in Moscow.

The book is published by Sadra Publications with the support of the Ibn Sina Foundation and the collaboration of the Iranian Embassy in Moscow, according to Hadavi.

The director noted that this new edition is based on a book previously published by the Iranian Embassy in Moscow. “However, the new version has undergone extensive revisions and updates,” he further brought to light. “Both in terms of content and imagery.”

Hadavi in his concluding remarks, pinpointed that this full-color book spans 192 pages and includes images of Iran’s significant landmarks and influential figures, accompanied by detailed explanations.

A page from an Iranian tourist guidebook recently published in Russian.

The cover design and the first-page feature artwork by renowned Iranian artist Reza Badrossama. Each section of the book is adorned with vibrant and related images.

The guidebook’s content is divided into several sections, featuring the history and geography of Iran, cities and attractions, historical villages and traditions, and travel information with an eye toward familiarizing possible visitors with the country’s tourism capacities.

In a bid to position itself as a top tourist spot for Russians, Iran has been implementing several measures to ease travel and enhance accessibility.

Last year, the two countries implemented a visa-free exchange program, allowing travelers as part of tour groups to arrive without the hassle of obtaining a visa.

This move has notably sparked more interest among Iranian tourists compared to their Russian counterparts.

Statistics reveal a significant contrast in the utilization of this opportunity. By the end of 2023, around 29.5 thousand travelers from Iran had journeyed to Russia, while the reverse route saw only about 10.7 thousand people heading to Iran.

To further stimulate tourism from Russia, relevant authorities from the two countries are actively working on enabling payments with "Mir" cards within the Islamic Republic. This initiative aims to streamline financial transactions for Russian travelers, enhancing their overall experience in Iran.

While these efforts are expected to bolster tourism, representatives from Russian tour operators remain cautious about the country’s potential to become a mainstream destination for Russians in the near future. Darya Domostroyeva from "Intourist" highlights that despite growing demand, Russian tourists still lack substantial knowledge about Iran and its recreational opportunities.

XF/AM