Tourist Numbers From Profitable Source Markets to Further Decline

The Iranian Tour Operators Association has warned of a further decline in the number of visitors from several key source markets in the upcoming season at a time when the national currency devaluation should have normally boosted the country's inbound tourism. 
In a talk to ISNA, Ebrahim Pourfaraj, president of the association, said a review of tour reservations for autumn shows that the sliding trend that started in January will persist. 
"The decrease in foreign arrivals started in January, but did not reach a critical level until [US President Donald] Trump and his foreign minister made statements [against Iran] and the US violated the nuclear deal which fueled more widespread hesitation about traveling to Iran among tourists," he said. 
Although official statistics indicate a general rise in incoming tourist numbers, the growth has only been achieved on the back of a limited number of markets that apparently generate smaller revenue.