Tehran: Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has articulated the nation’s intention to redefine its strategic role in the global tourism sector, emphasizing respect, sustainability, and cultural trust. The minister described tourism as “the language of civilization” and a fundamental basis for fostering human and cultural interaction.
According to Islamic Republic News Agency, Seyed Reza Salehi Amiri, in an article published in the Iran newspaper, highlighted that the 26th General Assembly of the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) held in Riyadh offered Iran a unique opportunity to reposition itself strategically within the constantly shifting political, economic, and cultural global landscape.
During the assembly, Iran engaged in strategic, cultural, civilizational, and economic discussions with senior tourism officials from countries including China, India, Indonesia, Oman, Armenia, Uzbekistan, Cambodia, and Saudi Arabia. These talks were aimed at enhancing cooperation, trust, and interaction between Iran and these nations.
In a meeting with China’s tourism minister, Salehi Amiri noted that securing even a one-percent share of the Chinese tourism market could translate into two million tourists for Iran, marking a significant transformation on both economic and civilizational fronts. He stressed that the true value lies in the quality of mutual trust and cultural understanding, which could deepen strategic ties between Iran and China.
Salehi Amiri described discussions with India’s tourism minister as conveying a “deep civilizational message,” suggesting that the two ancient cultures could “revive their shared cultural roots through tourism.” Talks with Indonesia focused on Islamic tourism as a “strategic project for the Muslim world,” with Iran positioned as a potential center for a new Islamic and human discourse.
Meetings with regional countries like Oman, Armenia, and Uzbekistan emphasized practical cooperation in areas such as direct flights, sea tourism, car rallies, and joint exhibitions. The minister highlighted the meeting with Saudi Arabia’s tourism minister as particularly significant, viewing it as a potential platform for rebuilding trust between the two Muslim nations.
Salehi Amiri also expressed gratitude to the current UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili for his efforts in steering the organization towards transparency and mutual trust. He conveyed Iran’s readiness to collaborate with the incoming secretary-general, Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi.
In conclusion, Salehi Amiri emphasized that Iran, leveraging its ancient heritage and modern technological capabilities, advocated for “bridges, not walls” at the UNWTO assembly. He underscored that the future of tourism belongs to nations that pursue mutual respect and understanding with wisdom and ethics.