Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has announced major investments along the country’s northern and southern coastlines, focusing on the Persian Gulf, the Sea of Oman, and the Caspian Sea. These initiatives aim to enhance maritime tourism, infrastructure, and hospitality services, positioning Iran as a leading regional tourism hub.
Speaking at a gathering of naval and tourism officials, Salehi-Amiri emphasized the role of coastal tourism in economic development, citing untapped opportunities along Iran’s 2,700 km of coastline. According to the Iranian Ministry of Tourism (chtn.ir), new investment proposals are currently under review, with a focus on public-private partnerships and foreign direct investment.
Tourism Growth Goals and Infrastructure Expansion
Iran aims to attract 15 million international tourists by the end of its 7th National Development Plan (2026), a significant rise from the 7 million visitors recorded in 2024. To achieve this, the government plans to:
- Expand hospitality infrastructure, doubling the 1,843 existing accommodation centers and increasing the current capacity of 455,000 beds.
- Develop maritime tourism, with a focus on strategic Iranian islands such as Abu Musa, Greater and Lesser Tunbs.
- Enhance transport and connectivity, leveraging the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to strengthen links with Central Asia and the Caucasus.
Salehi-Amiri also noted that comparative analysis with regional competitors such as Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia underscores Iran’s strong cultural and historical tourism potential, with over one million heritage sites, including Jiroft, Susa, Shushtar, and Firouzabad.
Challenges and Strategic Solutions
Despite Iran’s rich tourism offerings, infrastructure deficiencies remain a key challenge. The minister called for:
- Increased domestic and foreign investment, facilitated by legal reforms and banking support.
- Government incentives for private investors, particularly in hotel development, maritime transport, and eco-tourism projects.
- Improved security and accessibility along coastal regions to encourage international visitors.
Iran is also monitoring investments by Caspian Sea nations such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Tajikistan in maritime tourism, underscoring the need to accelerate Iran’s own coastal tourism projects.
Diplomatic and Economic Cooperation
Salehi-Amiri stressed the importance of international cooperation in expanding Iran’s global tourism footprint. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gov.ir) is working to strengthen diplomatic ties and facilitate foreign investment in the tourism sector.
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