As part of a plan to boost tourism in Iran’s southern islands, the Kish Free Zone Organization has shifted focus toward Hendorabi, an Island to the west of Kish and administratively in Kish rural district.
The move is also meant to help extend the high season in Kish Island, which is the most visited southern island with 1.7 million visitors annually.
A major step toward realizing the plan’s objective is the construction of Hendorabi Airport, which is slated for completion by the yearend (March 19). KFZO officials have told the media that the first flight will land in the island within the next two weeks, ISNA reported.
In addition to the construction of a wharf, which is 70% complete, freshwater systems have been installed and a luxury hotel is under construction, according to KFZO chief executive Ali Asghar Mounesan.
“Plans to develop Hendorabi’s infrastructure have been prepared in collaboration with German consultants,” he said.
The Persian Gulf is home to many small islands spread across the waterway and administered by various Persian Gulf states.
Iran controls 42 islands, including Kish and Qeshm, which is the largest island in the region. According to Mounesan, 18 of Iran’s islands have the potential to draw tourists, but attention so far has been given only to Kish and Qeshm.
“Only those two islands have the (minimum) infrastructure necessary to be marketed as holiday destinations,” he said, calling on investors to seize the unique investment opportunities in the region following the lifting of economic sanctions in January.
Most countries have to spend billions of dollars to create attractions to draw tourists, while Iran already has strong appeal for the world and only needs to develop the infrastructure, Mounesan was quoted by the news agency as saying.
