Tehran, Iran, March 15
By Mehdi Sepahvand -- Trend:
Iran stands as the world's 47th most popular tourism destination, according to the country's Head of Cultural Heritage, Handicraft, and Tourism Organization Masoud Soltanifar.
Soltanifar said that according to a national plan, Iran should increase the number of its annual incoming tourists from five million to 20 million in 20 years, Fars news agency reported March 15.
Regarding the status of tourist attractions, Iran stands somewhere from 15th to 20th in the rankings, the official said.
According to Soltanifar, Iran stands as world's 36th country for tourism revenue with an annual income of $7.5 to $8 billion.
According to the 20-year plan, the country should increase the share of tourism income from 0.5 percent to 2 percent of the country's total revenues, he noted.
Iran plans to boost its tourism industry in the post sanctions era. The country needs to refurbish its aviation industry as one prerequisite.
Improving the hotel sector is also on agenda, with several Iranian and foreign hotel managers now building new branches in the country.
