With the economy on its way to recovery and western-imposed sanctions mere months away from being lifted, it is high time Iran prepared for the highly anticipated surge of tourists, said the head of Research Institute of Cultural Heritage and Tourism.

Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti added that the progress of nuclear negotiations over the past two years has led to an increase in the number of inbound tourists.
�Therefore, the nuclear accord signed in Vienna will no doubt have a greater impact on the tourism industry,� he told ILNA.

Referring to the positive effect of the agreement on Iran�s global image, Beheshti said the deal will help Iran attain its tourism goals as outlined in the country�s sixth five-year economic development plan (2016-21).

The plan targets a fivefold increase in the number of incoming tourists, in line with Iran�s 20-year Vision Plan that aims to draw 20 million tourists annually by 2025, which is estimated to generate $30 billion.

The official emphasized the importance of improving the condition of museums and said work needs to be done to prepare historical sites and heritages to attract more tourists.

He lamented the West�s smear campaign against Iran and said the industry would have prospered had western media not sought to taint Iran�s image.

�The nuclear accord will hopefully help improve the country�s global profile,� he said.

Beheshti called for close collaboration of all tourism-related organizations to help develop Iran�s infrastructure to accommodate more visitors.

By Financial Tribune