TEHRAN– To accomplish the development of the Persian Gulf island of Kish, southern Iran, it is necessary to disengage from mass tourism, the managing director of the Kish Free Zone Organization has said.

For Kish’s tourism industry to flourish and grow, the development of the tourism industry must be emphasized and it must be distanced from mass tourism as much as possible, Mehdi Keshavarz explained on Wednesday.

The private sector has a vital role in boosting tourism on the island, he added.

However, Kish Island has had some setbacks over the past few years, and the development process has not been balanced for many years, which requires effort non-stop from all the related organizations to make up for it, he mentioned.

Earlier this month, the official announced that a comprehensive tourist map of the island, including 81 initial investment opportunities, was prepared.

Some 16 tourism sectors have been included in this map to promote sustainable tourism development on the island, the official added.

By attracting private sector investors, this map is expected to become the starting point of sustainable tourism development on the island in the next few years, he explained.

By focusing on tourism and financial trade, Kish can contribute more to economic prosperity in the long run, he noted.

Amongst the Persian Gulf islands, Kish is the more luxurious and developed. Except for its unique nature, such as its waters and shallow beaches, the tourist attractions of this charming island are due to its rich historical background as well as its kind and hospitable people.

The pristine and beautiful nature, the meeting of land and sea, the clear sky, the pleasant air, and the pleasurable reverberation of the waves create such a sense of calm that one cannot even distinguish between imagination and reality.

Nowadays, about one million foreign and domestic tourists travel to the island every year and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iran as it has magnificent attractions such as Kariz Underground City, Harireh Ancient City, Marjan Beach, Bird Garden, Ocean theme park, and Grand Recreational Pier.

ABU/AM