TEHRAN-- Tabriz, having received the highest score in the criteria considered, was introduced by Iran as a candidate for the title of the Tourism Capital of the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD 8), said Moslem Shojaei, the Tourism Ministry’s director-general for Marketing and Foreign Tourism Development Office.

He added that the Developing-8 sent a call for the selection of the Tourism Capital to member countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran, in July of this year. 

The issue of choosing the capital was announced by the Office of Marketing and Development of Foreign Tourism with a view to creating participation and fairness in informing the 31 Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Departments of the provinces. 

He also said that the provinces of the country had until August 23 to announce one of the cities of the province by submitting a comprehensive and complete proposal along with a video introducing that city to the Marketing and Foreign Tourism Development Office. 

Shojaei continued that these cities were evaluated on the basis of indicators announced by the D8 Secretariat in the Review and Evaluation Committee in the Marketing and Foreign Tourism Development Office. 

According to him, the indicators announced by the D8 Secretariat include sustainable infrastructure, preservation of cultural heritage, innovation and technology, safety and security of tourists, promotion and marketing of intercultural interaction, urban impacts, and socio-cultural impacts. 

After evaluating the cities introduced by the provincial general offices, according to the aforementioned indicators, the city of Tabriz with the highest score was introduced to the organization's secretariat as a candidate for the title of D8 Tourism Capital in 2026. 

Shojaei noted that the final result of the selection of the D8 Tourism Capital in competition with candidates from other member countries will be introduced by the D8 Secretariat. 

The Developing-8 includes Iran, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan.

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