Expansion of Cultural Tourism Strengthens National Security
Beheshti addressing the 13th conference to get acquainted with Kerman, said that cultural tourism contributes to diminishing the investment risk factor in Iran, IRNA reported.
He added that expansion of tourism against the general process of globalization is the best reaction to strengthen the national and cultural identity at various areas of the country.
He noted that considering the expansion of tourism as a mere contribution to foreign currency revenue and creating jobs is the worst approach to it.
Stressing the need to strengthen cultural tourism instead of recreational tourism, he said that cultural tourists are those visiting Iran on cultural and historical purposes.
He added that the tourists whose visit is aimed at the indicated objectives comply with the required formalities.
Addressing those who take foreign tourists as a threat to national security, he said that the cultural tourists themselves denote national security and further contribute to its strengthening.
Beheshti said, "Nothing may be as effective in improving the country's national reputation as the visiting tourists who return to their own country."
He added that the foreigners visiting Iran have always left with surprise as there is a great difference between what they have been told and what they have witness for themselves.
Referring to the current mental obstacles to the expansion of tourism as a major problem, he said that visiting no other country involves going through such a cumbersome process to visit Iran.
Referring to the central desert as an advantage of Kerman Province, he noted, "Currently our greatest disaster is that our cultural background has been totally ignored."
He underlined the significance of the tasks of the center for getting acquainted with Kerman aimed at introducing its ignored cultural and historical values.