Croatian Minister of Tourism Darko Lorencin has expressed his country’s desire to expand ties between Iran and Croatia for the betterment of both countries’ tourism, Donya-e Eghtesad reported.
Lorencin, who arrived in Iran on May 5 at the invitation of head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Masud Soltanifar, told reporters during his visit to Persepolis in Shiraz, Fars Province that he had met with representatives of leading Iranian travel agencies and airlines.
“We discussed the possibility of introducing direct flights between Shiraz and Zagreb,” Lorencin said.
Increasing travel between the two countries can help boost relations, he noted.
Lorencin also met with officials at the ministry of foreign affairs to discuss other venues of improving Tehran – Zagreb relations.”Organizating tours for reporters and those active in the tourism industry in Croatia to visit Iran and assess the country’s capacity for growth in the industry is another way of stregthening mutual ties.”
Croatians love learning about different cultures and they are eager to visit historical sites, he said, adding that Iran’s historical sites – especially in Fars Province – have the potential to attract Croatians.
“Iranian hospitality as well as the country’s different architectural style have a calming effect on visitors which is an important factor in tourism,” Lorencin asserted.
The official also visited Golestan Palace in south Tehran, which is a World Heritage Site, and wrote in the guestbook, “This is my first visit to Iran; a beautiful country with an ancient history and rich culture, home to extremely kind people who have deeply affected me. I already had high expectations before visiting the country, but I can now say what I have seen in Iran has surpassed all my expectations.”
