TEHRAN – The “Picturesque Iran” conference, aimed at showcasing Iran’s tourism prowess to neighbouring countries, was held in Karachi, Pakistan.
According to the Iranian News Agency (IRNA), the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Karachi on Saturday evening hosted several Pakistani tourism activists, including over 170 managers and representatives of Pakistani travel agencies and airlines.
Local officials and consuls general from various countries were also invited to the Iran Tourism Conference.
Iranian Consul General in Karachi Hassan Noorian highlighted potential opportunities between the two countries and appreciated Pakistan’s proactive efforts towards strengthening bilateral tourism ties.
“Promoting tourism and facilitating pilgrim travel routes are our priorities,” he stressed. “Easying procedures for opening air routes between Karachi and Mashhad is also among the measures taken.”
Nourian also said some Iranian airlines have expressed enthusiasm for opening new flight routes between the two countries.
Considering the cultural, religious and social commonalities between Iran and Pakistan, the two neighbouring countries can leverage a wide range of tourism resources, the Consul General stressed.
Noorian added that given Pakistan’s geographical wealth, adventure tourism – a type of tourism in which tourists take part in adventurous activities such as trekking, mountaineering, rafting and scuba diving – is a potential area for tourists from Iran.
Moreover, he noted that the private sector plays an important role in strengthening bilateral relations in the tourism sector.
He further noted that strengthening infrastructure on the Iran-Pakistan border is an important measure to attract more tourists and therefore requires special attention.
“Special attention will be paid to strengthening border infrastructure,” he further noted, adding that “more Pakistani tourists and pilgrims are expected to enter Iran.”
At the end of the event, free round-trip tickets provided by Iran Air and Turban Airlines were distributed to guests as a measure to educate travelers about Iran’s tourism potential.
XF/AM
