Domestic bus travel is experiencing an unprecedented slowdown ahead of the New Year holiday season (March 20 – April 2) while tickets for foreign destinations have already been sold out, an official with Iran's associations of travel bus companies said.
According to Reza Homami, secretary of the association, the latest statistics show that there are many vacancies in domestic bus routes unlike previous years when they were fully occupied weeks before Norouz.
"Tickets from Tehran to Mashhad were at a premium in previous years, but this year many seats are still vacant even in VIP buses and reputable bus companies," he was quoted as saying by Tinn News. Most transport companies agree that the decline is unprecedented. He, however, added that the conditions might change in the remaining days to the New Year.
"We will have to wait until mid-March when rail and air travel capacity is full, to see if passengers show willingness to bus travel," he said. Nevertheless, tickets to foreign destinations, including Turkey, Armenia and Georgia, are already fully booked according to the official.
"Iranians prefer travel to foreign destinations largely due to these countries' tourist-friendly policies," Homami said.
Inefficient Policy
Although tours are being offered some 4 times more expensive at this time of the year, Iranians still seem to prefer foreign travel to visiting domestic destinations.
"One of the reasons why Iranian destinations are not chosen is that prices often hike in Iran near Norouz while in other countries, prices stay the same at this time providing a great opportunity for shopping and eating out," he commented.
Homami noted that the transportation industry will not move out of recession unless all sectors of economy operate actively.
"Negligence regarding domestic travel has affected our guild. If efficient policies had been adopted in the tourism sector, the transportation industry would not face such a slump today," he lamented.
The imbalance between domestic and outbound tourism is growing despite the government's policies to encourage Iranians to opt for destinations in Iran.
Offering special domestic tours, launching tourism trains, holding festivals and special ceremonies, preparing the attractions and offering noticeable discounts for accommodation fees are among the numerous measures taken to oil the wheels of domestic tourism.
Besides, outbound travel has become more expensive both due to the drop in the value of rial against foreign currencies and the increased departure tax. Detailed studies are required to find out the reason why Iranians so fondly tend to travel abroad.
