Speaking on the sidelines of a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, Salehi Amiri stated that Iran aims to attract 15 million foreign tourists by the end of the 7th Development Plan.
According to plans, a 25 percent annual growth in tourist arrivals was expected, a target that was achieved by the end of the Iranian year 1403, which ended on March 20, he said.
The minister noted that for the Persian year 1404, the projected growth was realized in the months of Farvardin and Ordibehesht (March–May), but the trend was halted from Khordad to Mordad (June–August) due to the outbreak of war.
However, September has shown a positive trend in the tourist arrivals, he added.
Salehi Amiri emphasized that Iran is currently negotiating with various countries, prioritizing neighboring countries, Central Asia, and the Caucasus.
In the next phase, discussions with major Islamic countries such as Egypt and Indonesia are on the agenda, and in the future, countries including China, India, and Russia are targeted to achieve this year’s goals for attracting foreign tourists, he explained.