Isfahan is set to become the first Iranian city that boasts two separate tourism organizations.
Isfahan Municipality proposed the establishment of a tourism organization a few years ago, which has been approved by Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, ISNA reported.
Many believe the ineffectiveness of the cultural heritage and tourism department in Isfahan Province prompted city officials to take matters into their own hands and set up a separate tourism organization.
When asked about the veracity of those claims, Fereydoun Allahyari, head of the department, said, “The proposal was made prior to my appointment.”
Reza Amini, who heads Isfahan City Council, said following the Interior Ministry’s approval, a budget has been allocated to set up the organization next year.
Isfahan Mayor Mehdi Jamalinejad said the department has to review and approve the tourism organization’s articles of association before it can begin operation.
“Once the organization officially begins working, we will have successful collaborations with ICHHTO,” he said.
Echoing Jamalinejad’s sentiments, Allahyari said this cooperation will allow ICHHTO to tap into the municipalities’ resources to develop tourism in Isfahan, which is one Iran’s most visited cities.
