With the collaboration of neighboring Turkey, Ardebil Province will soon establish efficient hydrotherapy facilities in a bid to tap the province's potential in medical tourism.
This was promised by Ardebil's governor general after meeting professors of medicine at Istanbul University and visiting its affiliated hydrotherapy center on Thursday, CHTN reported.
During his visit, Akbar Behnamjou highlighted Ardebil's capacity in health tourism and the possibility of improving hydrotherapy facilities in the province, using modern technology and the experience of Turkey in the field.
"The Turkish tourism authorities and academic bodies have expressed readiness to contribute to upgrading the province's health tourism," the official said.
According to the official, Ardebil University of Medical Sciences and the provincial office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization as well as Istanbul University will soon start a joint effort on raising the standards of medical tourism (specifically hydrotherapy) equipment in the province.
ECO's Contribution
The efforts do not end here, since Ardebil will be host to the second edition of Economic Cooperation Organization conference on health tourism on October 8-10.
Nader Fallahi, head of the provincial office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, described the event as an opportunity to make decisions about both medical and halal tourism. "Innovative ideas on tourism development will be exchanged at the event," Fallahi said, adding that the ideas will be surely utilized in devising plans.
The conference will be attended by the ministries and top tourism officials of ECO member states, namely Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan as well as Iran.
From Iran, the Chamber of Commerce, the ministries of health and foreign affairs and Iran Medical Council will send representatives to the regional event.
Fallahi added that tourism ministers of Oman, Qatar, Iraq, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus and Croatia will also be invited to further expand the collaboration and scope of objectives on health tourism development. Established in 1985, ECO which has its headquarters in Tehran, aims to promote economic, technical and cultural cooperation among member states.
Ardebil is already a popular destination for those wishing to enjoy medical benefits of the hot water springs in Sarein City. There are, in addition, numerous health centers and even hotels providing hydrotherapy services to the applicants.
