Deputy tourism chief, Ali-Asghar Shalbafian has proposed to the Irani government to waive visa requirements for certain travelers coming from 50 countries, which, if implemented, would restore the tourism sector on the international stage.
The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for consideration and the possibility of implementation, as the official confirmed, VisaGuide.World reports.
Among 50 countries expected to travel visa-free to Iran, the most notable growing markets are anticipated to be neighbouring countries. The official also mentioned a previously signed visa waiver programme for certain tourist groups to be implicated between Iran and Russia, which was initially signed by the former Iranian President and Vladimir Putin, the Russian President back in 2017.
“The fact is that Iran’s political and economic relations with Russia are considered as good, but this has nothing to do with attracting tourists because it is directly connected with the Russian people. It is the Russian people who must choose Iran as their destination,” the Head of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, Ebrahim Pourfaraj, said regarding Russian travellers.
The Islamic Republic has enhanced efforts to use tourism to promote its international image. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Iran’s tourism has been on the rise, reaching more than eight million visitors. Some experts believe that before the pandemic, Iran’s tourism was already dealing with some challenges, including “Western media propaganda” which allegedly aimed at scaring tourists away from Iran.
Among countries that already have visa-free access include Armenia, Cook Islands, Dominica, Georgia, Haiti, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Micronesia, Turkey and Venezuela. Visa on arrival applies to citizens coming from Zimbabwe, Tuvalu, Togo, Timor-Leste, Syria, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Seychelles, Samoa, Rwanda, Qatar, Palau, Oman, Nepal, Mozambique, Mauritania, Maldives, Madagascar, Macao, Lebanon, Laos, Guinea-Bissau, Comoros, Cape Verde, Burundi, Bolivia and Azerbaijan.
Citizens of countries like Albania, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Benin, Botswana, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Montserrat, Norfolk Island, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore, South Sudan, Saint Helena, Suriname, Tajikistan, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Zambia, are able to obtain a visa to Iran online.
On the other hand, Irani citizens have to apply for a visa in order to visit any European country. For instance, applying for a visa to Germany includes completing the necessary documents such as a valid passport, passport-sized photos, application form, biometric data, proof of paid visa fee to Germany, documents related to the trip, and travel medical insurance, in addition to other requirements.
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