Tabriz: Iran's East Azarbaijan Province is preparing for a recovery in international tourism following the recent war of aggression by the US and Israel, with billions of dollars invested in tourism projects and 36 hotels currently under construction, according to the provincial tourism chief.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Ahmad Hamzehzadeh, head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department of East Azarbaijan Province, stated on Saturday that the recent conflict had created a new opportunity to introduce Iran's cultural identity, history, and civilization to international audiences. This development has the potential to encourage foreign visitors to experience the country firsthand.

He noted that foreign tourist arrivals at official accommodation centers in the province decreased in the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21), as regional tensions prompted travelers to postpone trips and tour operators to plan more cautiously.

Despite this downturn, Hamzehzadeh emphasized that tourism infrastructure development has continued. Authorities are easing investment procedures, including waiving construction fees for hotels and reducing administrative barriers.

He stressed the importance of developing accommodation and tourism infrastructure before demand returns, ensuring that the northwestern province is prepared when international travel gradually recovers.