With a focus on joint tours and cultural/sports events, plans to promote tourism between China and Iran will be put to action, stated Morteza Rahmani Movahed, deputy of tourism of the cultural heritage, handicrafts, and tourism organization.
According to the public affairs of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handcrafts and Tourism Organization, in a meeting with the members of the Iran - China friendship association the deputy stated that the travel industry heavily relies on public diplomacy and social communication.
Pointing to the similarities between Iranian and Chinese cultures, the deputy added that the tourism industry provides the prerequisites and the ideal context for a traveler to become familiar with a culture different from his or her own. In the long run, what starts out as tourism could lead to further cooperation in diverse fields between the two countries, Donyae Eqtesad reports.
The official further added that promotion of tourism between Iran and China is one of the main goals of ICHHO. The general outline of the plan will be completed in 2015 and the necessary statistical data will be supplemented in 2016. The number of visitors traveling from Iran to China and from China to Iran will be identified. In a research based context, the private sector will then start the implementation of the plan.
Every year one hundred million Chinese travel abroad. According to the plan, Iran aims to attract at least five percent, which seems quite feasible.
Later Feng Zuoku, the Chinese delegate to the Iran - China Friendship Association, stated that the association holds several conferences on different issues every year. Promotion of tourism between china and Iran is on the top of the agenda for following year.
Zuoku stressed that sanctioning auto racing events between China and Iran will further promote the potentials of the two countries. The media coverage on the sports event will in turn help introduce tourist attractions inside Iran.
