West Azarbaijan, the northwestern border province of Iran, has seen a 10% boost to its visiting tourists during the current fiscal year that began in March, a provincial official said.
About 1.11 million tourists visited the province during the first seven months of the current year that ended on Oct. 22, up by 10.6% compared to 917,694 visitors that had travelled to West Azarbaijan during last year's corresponding period, the head of West Azarbaijan Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization was quoted as saying by Donya-e-Eqtesad.
Jalil Jabbari added that visits to recreational and other tourist attractions of the province grew 18% year-on-year during the period.
"Tourism target villages and the Sahvalan Water Cave were among the most important attractions frequented by tourists," he said.
According to the official, 101 historical and natural sites and objects were registered on the national heritage list during the current year.
These included seven natural sites, 28 intellectual properties and 66 historical objects, bringing the total number of nationally registered items in the province to 1,604.
Jabbari noted that 82 historical sites have been renovated during the current fiscal year so far, some of which have been completed while others are undergoing renovation.
During this period, archeological and boundary demarcations were completed at four major historical sites, namely Sardar Bukan Castle, Jameh Mosque of Urmia, Hassanlou Base and Bastam Base.
"Renovation and reconstruction of 43 historical iron and earthen items are being undertaken simultaneously," he said.
The official announced that 12 specialized museums are to be established in West Azarbaijan in the near future.
According to Jabbari, 113 local tourism associations have been recently established in the province, including seven in Urmia and five in Salmas.
"Forty investment projects, including hotels and other tourism facilities, are now under review while 4 trillion rials ($32 million) worth of investments are now underway across the province," he said.
"The average progress rate of these projects is 50% and they are expected to be gradually launched in the next two years. This will add up to 30% of the province's accommodation capacities."
Jabbari said the tourism authority's focus is on specialized education and educational centers are conducting various courses to attract students.
According to the official, 322 operating licenses in the area of handicrafts have been issued by the provincial authority in the current year, up by 60% year-on-year. He added that 350 artists have received bank loans this year.
President Hassan Rouhani visited West Azarbaijan to launch a number of projects that will benefit the province's tourism sector.
Jabbari also said that these projects have been launched for improving tourism infrastructures of the province while boosting private sector investments in the tourism sector.
The president launched the establishment of a hotel and a travel agency in Urmia, a building to commemorate Shams Tabrizi, the first phase of the development of Pardanan Piranshahr Tourism Zone, a historical landmark in Urmia and two ecotourism units in Mahabad and Urmia.
