Low-interest loans will be granted to the locals of some 500 villages in the free zones to help them establish guesthouses, CHN reported. Over 500 villages have been identified. Seven free zones have been established in Iran, each having several tourist villages. There are 13 villages in Aras Free Zone; 277 villages in Maku; 107 in Arvand, one village in Chabahar; 30 in Anzali; 85 in Qeshm; and three in Kish and Hendurabi. Existing rustic homes are to be revamped to accommodate tourists. The loan comes with a 4% interest rate. No hotel is to be constructed in the villages, socio-cultural and tourism deputy of the Center for Free and Special Economic Zones Mohammad-Ali Zam said. An additional budget is being considered for improving the roads, water and electricity supplies, religious buildings, and libraries.
