TEHRAN — Sarein in Ardabil province should be developed into a smart tourism and health tourism city, with accommodation facilities, hotels, and eco-tourism services upgraded to international standards, the provincial governor-general Masoud Emami-Yeganeh said.

Speaking at a ceremony for inaugurating tourism projects in Sarein on Monday to commemorate the Government Week (September 23-29), he said that Ardabil is among the top 10 tourist provinces of the country. He also said that Sarein has unique potential worldwide, IRNA reported. 

Emami-Yeganeh emphasized that the sidewalks, spaces targeted by tourists, and routes leading to accommodations and recreational centers must be free of traffic, and Sarein's tourism horizon must be considered with a long-term perspective, and along with increasing construction and hotels, traffic and passenger comfort must also be considered. 

“Training tourism services and the presence of experienced human resources in tourist centers are very important, and in addition to provincial credits, we must also benefit from national credits. and we welcome public participation and private investment in this field. Consultations have been held with the CEOs of 11 major banks in the country to finance the province's major projects, and measures are being taken.”

Saying that 49 percent of the added value in this province is in the tourism and service economy, and the majority of it is in Sarein, he added that the development of this city requires a national perspective.

He stated that during the 12-day Israeli imposed war, while the capacity and population of the province had increased with the arrival of travelers, the situation was managed well.

Stating that Ardabil province was appreciated by the Ministry of Interior, he continued that there was not the slightest dissatisfaction observed in Sarein during wartime, and the matters of supporting guests also went well. 

Pointing to the implementation of several projects in Sarein, he said that Sarein Tourism Complex is under construction with a credit worth 2,000 billion rials ($2.2 million) and also 24 economic projects are under implementation in the city, some of which have seen physical progress of even above 60 percent.

According to him, three trillion rials ($3.3 million) have been allocated to these complexes, and the opening of these centers will create employment opportunities for a total of 800 people. 

In recent years, communication roads in Sarein have been constructed and organized, and three trillion rials of facilities have been allocated for the city's non-level road intersection.

Emami-Yeganeh considered it necessary to provide facilities for projects through the operating banks and said that the construction of equipped hotels is necessary for the province. There is no obstacle to the implementation of these projects, and special facilities will be provided to the investors, he added. 

Ardabil governor also announced the construction of a water park and the implementation of school construction projects with the help of benefactors.

He added: “During the President's recent visit to Ardabil province, we emphasized the reopening of the border and passenger traffic by land. We have no problem with traffic from Iran, and the neighboring country has announced that if it is reopened, priority will be given to Ardabil province and the Bileh Savar customs.”

He noted: “We are also seeking to establish a joint free zone with the Republic of Azerbaijan in the city of Bileh Savar in Moghan in the free trade and industrial zone of Ardabil province, so that this important economic capacity can bear great fruits for the province as soon as possible.”

During the visit of Ardabil governor-general to Sarein, 38 development projects and economic plans were inaugurated with a credit and investment of more than 8,360 billion rials.

Sarein, located 25 kilometers west of Ardabil, on the slopes of the 4,811-meter Sabalan Mountain, is known as a tourist destination not only in Ardabil Province but also in Iran and even some countries around the world, with dozens of pools and hot and cold mineral springs, natural baths, beautiful landscapes and views, pleasant weather, gardens, hotels and equipped recreation and accommodation centers, and other attractions.

Over the past years, Sarein has seen substantial improvements in its tourism infrastructure. Several new hotels and suspension bridges have been established, ensuring better services for visitors. Additionally, the creation of a “tourism chain” in Sarein’s villages aims to generate income for rural residents and promote the local economy.

KD