Tehran Set to Host Exciting Nowruz Tourism Ministers’ Meeting: A Celebration of Culture and Travel!
In a significant announcement, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi-Amiri, revealed plans for the first-ever meeting of tourism ministers from nations celebrating Nowruz. This event is set to take place in Tehran and aims to foster cultural and tourism cooperation among the countries that honor this ancient festival.
The 25th meeting of the Strategic Council of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts occurred on Monday, featuring Salehi-Amiri, Director of Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipur, and various senior managers and experts in the fields of culture and tourism.
Salehi-Amiri underscored the importance of Nowruz, stating that it is a shared heritage among regional nations and one of the most deeply-rooted human traditions. He noted that with its several thousand years of history and its global recognition on the UNESCO Intangible Heritage List, Nowruz possesses a unique potential to showcase Iranian culture while enhancing solidarity among the participating nations.
He elaborated that this summit, conducted at a governmental level, is expected to:
- Increase social vitality within Iran
- Foster cultural interactions
- Promote sustainable tourism
- Enhance cooperation in preserving the historical and spiritual assets of Nowruz-celebrating nations
Salehi-Amiri highlighted the primary objective of this initiative: to establish Nowruz as a reputable global brand. He emphasized that Iran, as the origin of this time-honored ritual, must take a leading role in advancing cultural tourism in the region.
During the summit, various programs have been planned, including:
- Specialized Nowruz tourism meetings
- Training workshops
- Visits by delegations to historical sites associated with Nowruz, such as Persepolis and Pasargadae
These activities are designed to portray a comprehensive and documented image of Iran’s cultural capacities. Salehi-Amiri indicated that the primary focus will be on the Nowruz area, aiming for a coherent development of cultural tourism. He stated that the introduction of Iran’s attractions to the international community will be approached scientifically, systematically, and strategically.
Additionally, Salehi-Amiri mentioned the importance of leveraging the expertise of prominent cultural figures in the region. He announced plans to invite scholars and experts proficient in the common cultural heritage to foster dialogue and studies related to Iran.
In a related development, Salehi-Amiri addressed the shift in Iran’s tourism diplomacy, particularly in light of the recent 12-day conflict with Israel. He explained that prior to the conflict, Iran had been actively engaging with countries across the region—from Tajikistan and Azerbaijan to Egypt—to attract tourists. However, he noted that the war instigated a psychological barrier, leading to a temporary decline in tourism.
He stated, “During the war, due to Iranophobia and the psychological insecurity that was created, there was a break. We started to rebuild that trust and neutralize Iranophobia for starting again.”
Salehi-Amiri added that diplomatic relations with neighboring Iraq have improved significantly. Currently, Iraqi travelers, both pilgrims and tourists, are visiting Iran in substantial numbers. He noted that a delegation of approximately 80 individuals from Iran’s private sector, including agencies, hoteliers, and tour operators, recently visited Iraq to strengthen ties.
He emphasized, “In the post-war situation, we should gradually return to the previous conditions within six months. We have predicted three scenarios and defined plans for each.” These scenarios include:
- The continuation of the current situation (no war, no peace)
- The potential for instability and corresponding actions
- Return to stable conditions
Salehi-Amiri projected that under stable conditions, Iran could experience a 25 percent growth in tourism, potentially welcoming between 8 to 9.5 million tourists. In the current situation, he anticipates returning to last year’s tourism figures.
Regarding the protection of ancient sites, Salehi-Amiri assured, “All historical sites are under the supervision of our bases. The officials of our departments are stationed in the provinces to monitor them effectively.”
Furthermore, Deputy Tourism Minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian disclosed that over 231 projects had been identified in various provinces, with 16 of them approved to receive funding of up to 8,000 billion rials (approximately $8 million) from tax funds.
He indicated that aligning policies and programs at both national and provincial levels is a critical aspect of cooperation. Deputy Cultural Heritage Minister Ali Darabi also mentioned plans for online meetings with provincial benefactors to discuss the restoration of historical monuments.
He underscored the importance of utilizing economic resources to support the protection and restoration of these cultural sites. By fostering closer interaction between economic sectors, they aim to activate priority projects across provinces.
Darabi emphasized that employing innovative investment methods can enhance productivity in cultural heritage management, paving the way for sustainable preservation of Iran’s historical and cultural monuments.
