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Plans to Promote Youth Tourism

The touring camps for youth will include programs to introduce Iran’s natural and historical attractions as well as cultural heritage and handicrafts
Travelling can positively shape youth identity.
Travelling can positively shape youth identity.
The more young people interact socially, the more their emotional intelligence is enhanced

Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization held a specialized meeting on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 11th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition to discuss the potentials of youth tourism aimed at children and young adults.

Speaking at the event, Pouyan Qaem-Maqami, executive director of the national base for youth tourism at ICHHTO, said plans to launch touring camps for youth across the country are on the agenda, CHTN reported.

“The camps will include recreational programs to introduce Iran’s natural and historical attractions as well as cultural heritage and handicrafts to children,” he said.

According to the official, promoting indigenous puppets and dolls along with local games, which have great capacities for physical activity besides cheering them up, is among other plans to develop youth tourism.

“We should also modify tourist sites to appeal to children because many of these sites are only attractive for adults,” he said.

Qaem-Maqami pointed to the novelty of this type of tourism and called upon all relevant organizations to join hands in promoting it.

“ICHHTO stresses that youth must be seen as a motivator of travel because they can encourage their families to visit destinations. The organization is counting heavily on the private sector and welcomes any cooperation from its side.

 Win-Win Situation

Ja’far Satvati, director of Cultural Affairs Office at the Sports and Youth Ministry, highlighted the benefits of tourism for youth who are seen as a driver for the travel industry's growth.

According to the official, travelling can positively influence the development of youth identity.

“The more young people are involved in social relations, the more their emotional intelligence will be enhanced,” he said.

Besides, meeting with other ethnic groups and becoming familiar with their customs will help young children develop a better social character.

“Many countries have already focused on youth travel because they believe that emotional quotient is more important than intelligence quotient,” he said.

Satvati stressed that to increase the share of tourism in Iran’s economy, youth must be brought into focus because they appreciate traveling.

“When they get accustomed to traveling at a young age, people are more likely to travel a lot when grow up,” he said, adding that improving domestic tourism through the capacity of youth is essential.

The official called on the ministries of education, science and sports, as well as other relevant entities to focus on youth tourism and present plans to advance the sector.

Satvati also called for including it in the comprehensive tourism plan that ICHHTO intends to prepare.

For the first time, a pavilion has been dedicated to youth tourism in the annual tourism exhibition.

 

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