Officials from the Foreign Ministry and representatives from the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture will meet on December 20 to discuss tourism and issues related to the arrival of foreign travelers.
Organized by the ICCIMA’s tourism commission, the meeting will be attended by deputy foreign minister, Hassan Qashqavi, and ICCIMA deputy for international affairs, Farhad Sharif, the Persian daily Donya-e-Eqtesad reported.
“Facilitating visas will help boost tourism,” said Ahmad Asghari, the head of the commission.
“On behalf of the private sector, we will make suggestions to the ministry and urge them to help promote Iranian tourism in more countries.”
Highlighting the role and influence of the ministry in developing tourism, he said the embassies should do their fair share in promoting Iranian tourism in target countries.
Earlier this year, the ministry compiled a list of 40 target countries in which to promote Iran’s travel market.
Iran’s Vision Plan targets 20 million tourists per year by 2025, which is estimated to generate $30 billion in revenues.
Currently, travelers from across the world, except for 10 countries, can obtain month-long visas on arrival at Iranian airports.
Colombia, Somalia, Britain, Canada, USA, Bangladesh, Jordan, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan have been excluded from the list.
In July, Iran waived visa requirements for citizens of seven countries, namely Azerbaijan, Syria, Turkey, Georgia, Bolivia, Egypt and Lebanon.
A working group, comprising members from the Foreign Ministry, law enforcement forces and Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization is tasked with reviewing visa waivers and relevant policies.
