More than 10.5 million Iranians traveled to foreign countries during the previous Iranian fiscal year (March 2017-18), indicating a 14.8% rise compared with a year earlier.
As per the latest data released by Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, religious journeys had a 43.4% share of total outbound trips during the period, marking a growth of 7% compared with the year before.
Autumn was Iranians' favorite season for foreign trips, as nearly 38% of visits to foreign countries were made during the season. The large number of Iranian pilgrims to the Iraqi city of Karbala on the occasion of Arbaeen, the 40th day after the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH), which was held in November, could be the main reason for the growth in autumnal travel.
Summer trips to foreign countries recorded the highest growth last year, namely 34%. More than 2.5 million foreign trips were recorded during the three-month period (June 22-September21).
Air and road transport were the main means of traveling to foreign countries, with shares of 49.2% and 49.3% respectively. Trips made with airplanes experienced a 18% growth year on year.
Tehran's Imam Khomeini International Airport alone accounted for 55% of departures to foreign countries last year, followed by Mashhad's International Airport (34%).
Forex Rates Impact
The upward trend in foreign exchange rates in Tehran market, started last September, was expected to result in lower number of Iranians' foreign trips. However, ICHHTO's data indicates a considerable growth in the number of outbound trips during the second half of the last Iranian fiscal year.
Foreign trips registered a 21% jump in the eleventh month of Iranian year (January-February 2018). This is while the US dollar recorded an all-time high during the said period. The average price of USD was nearly 45,000 in the one month period, while it was sold at an average price of 38,000 rials during the same period in the year before.
The growth was also significant in the seventh month (18.8%) and the ninth month (20%).
Top Destinations
Iraq was the top destination for Iranian travelers during the last fiscal. The neighboring country, host to several major religious sites, solely accounted for 47% of Iran's outbound tourism.
Turkey was the second top destination for Iranian travelers, as 2.7 million Iranians visited the country last year. The number indicates a 54% growth compared with the year before.
United Arab Emirates, typically a favorite destination for recreational and business purposes, came next, although trips to the Arab state experienced a 15.4% decline during the year ending in March 2018.
In contrast, Azerbaijan and Georgia recorded high growths in the number of tourists from Iran with15.4% and 141% increases, respectively.
Easing visa requirements, lower costs of transportation and efficient promotional campaigns could be the main cause of the significant growth.
Germany ranked fifth in the list of top travel destinations for Iranians and the first among European countries.
Qatar ranked eighth, hosting 163,000 Iranians last year. The two countries enhanced ties following the Arab rift on June 2017 that resulted in a 5.7% growth in the number of trips to Qatar.
Iran's largest business partner, China, was the tenth destination for Iranian visitors.
