Domestic Travel Holds Greater Potential to Spur Economy

Although the number of domestic tourists in Iran is much higher than those who travel abroad, their contribution to the country's economy is far from what is expected of the industry. 
This, according to a travel expert, is due to a number of factors for most of which Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization could be held accountable. 
Speaking to ILNA, Adreshir Orouji said Iranians' strong tendency to travel cheap is among the reasons why the share of domestic tourism in the country's GDP is negligible. 
"Based on the latest figures provided by Iran's Statistical Organization, around 66% of Iranian travelers visit their relatives' homes in different cities. Only about 5% stay in hotels and other accommodations and 3% take organized tours," he said.  The figures clearly indicate that that tourism fails to help boost lodging and tour operating industries the way it is expected to.