Tehran Gears Up for 18th International Tourism Exhibition: Emphasizing Unity and Unveiling New Opportunities!

The 18th Tehran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition is set to take place from February 11 to 14 at the permanent exhibition venue in Tehran, aiming to highlight Iran’s rich cultural, geographical, and historical tourism potential. The unveiling ceremony of the exhibition’s poster was held on Monday at the Persian Gulf Hall, hosted by the Deputy of Tourism. This event gathered esteemed personalities from the tourism sector, emphasizing the importance of enhancing Iran’s tourism offerings.

Among the attendees were:

• Anoushiravan Mohseni-Bandpey, Deputy of Tourism at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts
• Seyyed Mostafa Fatemi, Director General of Domestic Tourism
• Mostafa Shafiei-Shakib, President of the National Tourist Guides Association
• Hormatollah Rafiei, President of the Association of Air Travel and Tourism Agencies

During the ceremony, Mohseni-Bandpey emphasized three critical elements for the development of tourism: attraction, security, and infrastructure. He pointed out the vast cultural heritage and climatic diversity of Iran, which are significant draws for tourists. The deputy minister particularly highlighted the importance of religious tourism, noting revered shrines such as those of Imam Reza and Hazrat Masoumeh.

The government’s strategy is to fully utilize all tourism capacities, with a strong emphasis on the involvement of the private sector to tackle existing challenges and support tourism businesses. Mohseni-Bandpey stated, “Initiatives like affordable travel packages, banking credit cards for tourists, education, empowerment of local communities, and international travel exchanges were noted as crucial steps.”

He also stressed the necessity of upgrading public transportation to accommodate an expected surge in tourism, projecting an arrival of 19 million tourists in the coming year. He stated, “To meet this demand, we need to add 500 aircraft and 8,000 buses to our transportation fleet, all of which are currently in the planning stages.”

Furthermore, the deputy minister underscored the importance of enhancing promotional efforts for the exhibition, stating, “Every initiative requires optimal presentation, and we must strive for greater promotional efforts despite past weaknesses in advertising.”

This year’s exhibition theme, “Peace among Iranian Tribes and National Harmony,” aims to foster greater participation from the private sector, with an impressive turnout of 1,700 investors and 750 investment packages. Mohseni-Bandpey noted that invitations have been sent to 12 foreign ministers and 20 foreign ambassadors to further promote Iran’s domestic tourism potential and strengthen international relations.

Fatemi addressed the exhibition’s objectives, reflecting on recent challenges faced by the tourism sector. He emphasized the event’s role in driving tourism development by focusing on:

• Reducing previous shortcomings
• Enhancing visibility for the private sector
• Promoting national unity

He elaborated on the exhibition layout, which this year allows for a more prominent presence of the private sector, moving away from a solely governmental focus. The exhibition will showcase Iran’s cultural provinces, free zones, and private sector entities, highlighting unique aspects of tourism.

Additionally, the exhibition will feature dedicated sections for food and health tourism, emphasizing indigenous crafts and providing annual tourism packages. Rafiei, head of the Association of Air Travel and Tourism Agencies, called for early environmental advertising for the exhibition and urged national media to offer comprehensive coverage to boost public engagement. He also emphasized the need for governmental facilitation in tax matters to prevent currency outflow.

Another significant contributor, Yaavar Abiri, president of Iran’s Ecotourism Associations, noted the substantial focus on ecotourism at this year’s exhibition. Outdoor spaces will be allocated for eco-tourism showcases and ceremonial events, reflecting the growing interest in sustainable tourism practices.

With heightened expectations for the 18th Tehran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition, stakeholders from the government, private sectors, and specialized associations are preparing to use this event as a crucial platform to highlight Iran’s diverse tourism attractions and capabilities. The Islamic Republic anticipates substantial benefits from its numerous tourist sites, including bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, with 28 sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

As the countdown to this significant tourism event begins, the collaboration between various sectors will be vital in showcasing Iran’s unique offerings and enhancing its position as a prime tourist destination.