Spain Eyes Closer Ties with Iran in Tourism


Spain Eyes Closer Ties with Iran in Tourism

TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Fascinated by the tourist attractions of Iran’s central city of Isfahan, Spanish Minister of Industry, Energy, and Tourism Jose Manuel Soria called for more cooperation between the two countries’ private sectors in tourism.

In a meeting with the governor general of Isfahan province in the Iranian city, the Spanish minister hailed Iran’s great advantages and assets in the tourism industry.

He said the enormous potential is an outcome of Iran’s rich history, culture, art and architecture.

Soria also urged that a delegation from Isfahan pay a visit to Spain to learn about the European country’s tourism attractions and capacities.

He said Iran and Spain can tap into the potential of their private sectors to promote cooperation and boost the two countries’ tourism industry through modern tactics, like digital tourism.

On Tuesday, Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Masoud Soltanifar said Iran has extensive plans to boost its tourism industry following the conclusion of nuclear talks with world powers by attracting foreign investment.

According to the long-term plans, Iran is going to attracts 20 million tourists, which requires 300 new hotels, the officials noted, saying the need for 30 new hotels each year would provide a unique opportunity for foreign investors to have a role in Iran’s hotel-building industry.

Soltanifar put the number of foreign tourists who visited Iran in 2014 at around 5 million.

More foreign tourists are starting to arrive in the Islamic Republic after Tehran and the Group 5+1 finalized the text of a deal on Iran’s peaceful nuclear energy program in July.

Iran became a tourist hotspot in 2014, with tour operators in many European countries reporting significant increases in tourists booking trips to the Persian Gulf country.

With a large number of attractive natural and historical sites, Iran is one of the most touristic countries in the world.

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