Iran To Top “Must-visit” Lists For 2014

Tehran, May 20, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani’s administration has opened the doors to tourists and Iran is becoming a top 2014 tourism destination, reports said. With its ancient monuments, glittering mosques and spectacular landscapes, Iran is home to some of the worldˈs cultural treasures. The new administration of Hassan Rouhani is taking steps to open up Iran to foreigners in an effort to bring in much-needed foreign currency to an economy reeling from years of sanctions. The government is overhauling its strict immigration rules to ease or lift visa requirements for most foreign visitors. Rouhani’s administration has announced plans to ease visa requirements to increase the number of visitors and raise annual income from tourism from dlrs 2 billion at present to dlrs 10 billion. On Thursday, May 15, Iranian Intelligence Minister Hojjatoleslam Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi said that development of tourism industry should be taken seriously, since it can be one of the cornerstones of the “resistance economy” proposed by the Supreme Leader. Iran will ease visa regulations for 12 countries, said the intelligence minister. Alavi added that the ministry’s mission is to establish security so that tourists can enjoy calm and happiness in Iran. Alavi said the completion and construction of infrastructures should be taken into consideration, so that Iran can witness a boom in tourism industry. Iran may be set to return to the top of “must-visit” lists for 2014, the Financial Times said in a report in January, referring to the changes in Iran’s internal and international policies. Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization Director Masoud Soltanifar said on Saturday that the entry of European tourists to Iran rose by 240 percent between April 9 and May 10 compared to the same period last year. Most of the 4- and 5-star hotels in the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, Yazd, and Kashan have been completely reserved by European tourists for the next six months. For tourists, Iran’s attractions have been out of question -- from ski resorts to beaches, stunning Islamic architecture, ancient archaeological sites, and superb food./end