TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

Mohammad-Hossein Yazdani said experience showed that whenever confidence-building conditions were in place, Iran’s inbound and outbound tourism grew and hotel occupancy rates improved, contributing to job creation and economic activity.

“Security is the first and most fundamental factor for tourism growth,” Yazdani told Miras Aria.

“Periods of relative calm and stability have coincided with acceptable growth in tourism flows and employment levels in accommodation facilities.”

He said Iran has significant historical, cultural and natural assets, but regional tensions have made some foreign tourists more cautious in choosing the country as a destination, a situation he said could be quickly reversed by improving the country’s security image.

Yazdani also pointed to operational challenges, saying the continuous operation of tourism and historical sites, along with effective insurance mechanisms to cover potential incidents, could help increase tourists’ sense of safety and confidence.

He said that while general tourism may face limitations during certain periods, religious tourism remains relatively resilient due to deep cultural and religious ties and can serve as a pillar of the sector’s stability.

At the same time, Yazdani said attention to all segments of tourism was necessary to fully utilize the sector’s capacity and expand employment opportunities for tour guides.

He said economic stability, prudent management of exchange rates, inflation control, stronger coordination among state institutions, improved professional status for tour guides and more balanced travel costs were key factors in helping Iran’s tourism sector emerge from recession.

Yazdani said a coherent plan based on close cooperation between the government and the private sector could support a gradual recovery, rebuild confidence among industry stakeholders and help restore Iran’s position in regional and global tourism.

The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 29 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

AM