8 Caspian Tourism Spots Identified

Eight marine tourism spots along the Caspian Sea coastline in Mazandaran Province have been identified with the aim of facilitating investment in the sector, the head of the provincial office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said.

Speaking to Mana, Delavar Bozorgnia also said feasibility studies have been conducted and the marine projects have been determined for the eight spots.  

"The projects are already approved by the Ports and Maritime Organization in Mazandaran, the administration in charge. Therefore, there is no need for investors to apply for permits," he said.  

Studies to locate the best tourism spots along the coastline were started last year, spanning the furthest eastern shores in Galugah to Ramsar in the province's far west.

The purpose of studies was to prepare investment packages and eliminate bureaucratic processes to encourage private sector investment.  The spots are promising grounds for establishing marinas, recreational piers and other sea tourism services.

"All the data on approved marine tourism projects in these eight spots will be presented to investors as packages and they will be able to choose the one that best suits their financial means," he said.

The official stressed that the province's maritime tourism industry will not develop unless it is financed by the private sector.

According to Bozorgnia, the projects have the potential to attract foreign investors as well.  Marine tourism industry, with all its extensions such as hotels, restaurants, commercial centers and travel agencies, is considered a key sector to help achieve the long-term goal of attracting 20 million tourists annually by 2025.

Iran's coastal regions are said to have the potential of attracting three million foreign visitors a year.