Why Travel to Iran?
Iran, a country rich in historical and cultural treasures has recently unveiled an investment package of 1,300 projects to attract foreign investment and boost its tourism industry. A lot of famous international medias and experts have been predicted that Iran could be one of the top tourist destinations in the upcoming years.
Iran is home to 19 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and never falls short of historical buildings, castles, mosques, churches, bridges, palaces, gardens, stunning natural magnets and an unusually hospitable people.
The landscape of Iran is diverse, providing a range of activities from hiking and skiing in the Alborz Mountains, to beach holidays by the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea. Over the next five years a number of tourism-friendly infrastructure projects will be undertaken on the Persian Gulf island of Kish, which at present attracts around 1m visitors per year, the majority of whom are Iranian.
Organization of Cultural Heritage and Tourism
Iran's Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization is responsible for the establishment, development and operation of tourism facilities in Iran, planning for the repair or extension of tourism facilities through direct investment or providing loans to the private sector or entering into partnership with the private sector, issuing licenses and supervising the establishment and administration of hotels and restaurants and travel agencies and qualification and rating of these units. Investment in Iran’s free trade zones is exempt from taxes for up to 20 years.
Visa requirement
In general, Iran has tried to improve its visa application process and has begun to issue week-long visas for the nationals of 68 countries at airports. An online hotel reservation system has been developed. Iran will equip all airports with electronic visas facilities by February 2009 to issue online entry permits to foreign nationals. Visas can now be secured electronically and be collected from Iranian consulates or international airports.
Iran's Tourism Industry at a Glance
Iran’s Burgeoning Tourism Industry in the International Media Spotlight
(Media reports that have been mentioned here do not necessarily represent the views of Iran Embassy and we just refer to them as examples of Iran's tourism industry flourishing.)
news.com.au: A surprise hot destination where the Australian Government advises against travel
Press TV's interview with Masoud Soltanifar, the head of Iran's cultural heritage and tourism organization
The Huffington Post: Why Iran Should Gear Up for a "Tsunami" of Tourists