SAEDNEWS: Langeroud county in Iran’s northern Gilan province, which has 17 kilometers of coastline along the Caspian Sea, could develop into a sea-based tourism hub, a local official said.
According to SAEDNEWS, In an interview released by ISNA on Monday, Langeroud Governor Yousef Golshan explained county’s diverse climate and tourism potential as key factors supporting the plan.
The official said that with efforts to strengthen transportation infrastructure, enhance security, and organize coastal areas, along with a renewed approach to linking tourism, fisheries, and marine-based transportation, clear signs are emerging of a new tourism corridor along the Caspian Sea. “Such a corridor, by connecting northern ports and attracting domestic and foreign investment, could transform Langeroud from a county that has long turned its back to the sea into a strategic hub within the country’s sea-based economy.”
In recent years, Iran has identified the development of a marine-oriented economy as one of its main national strategies.
Langeroud county, with an area of 438 square kilometers, is equivalent to about three percent of the area of Gilan province. The city is connected to Roudsar from the east, Lahijan from the west, and Amlash and Siahkal from the south.
It has a diverse climate, including plains, foothills, and mountains. Part of Langeroud County's important potential comes from its beaches within the cities of Chaf and Chamkhaleh, with a coastline of about 17 kilometers long.
He added that the important point in the field of sea-based tourism investment in Langeroud is that the entire coastline is located within the city limits and is managed by the municipality. “This integrated management, if performed correctly, can play a very effective role in attracting investors. There are several areas on the coasts of Langeroud county that can be exploited, including the use of swimming pools and the coastal environment for walking, sports, and healthy recreation.”
Golshan said that millions of people travel to Langeroud county every year to use the beaches. “There are high-quality hotels operating on the beaches of this county, which are considered among the best hotels in the country in terms of service level. In the past, a national plan for preparing coastal areas for tourism and safe swimming was implemented on the beaches of Langeroud, and fortunately, in the last four months, a new project has been added to it in Chaf.
Currently, two safe swimming zone projects are active on the beaches of the county.
He said that some coastal hotels have suggested that the beach adjacent to them, that is, the area in front of the hotels, be organized as a safe swimming zone project and be open and available to the public and travelers.
“If there is a specific custodian for these beaches, both the preservation of the coastal environment will be better and problems such as waste, which is one of the challenges of coastal tourism, will be reduced and visual attractions will be increased. Currently, the people of Langeroud, with the help of non-governmental organizations, are cleaning the beaches weekly.”
Pointing out that Chaf and Chamkhaleh beaches are more visually attractive than other beaches, he said that currently, two safe swimming zone projects are active in Langeroud county, and the second project was fully operational this summer.
Golshan clarified that another important capacity of the county is Chamkhaleh recreational, tourist and passenger port, which is the only dedicated port of its kind in the north of the country. This port is designed in an area of 26 hectares, of which 21 hectares are on land and five hectares are in the water area, he pointed out.
The first phase of this port has been completed by the government, and the second phase, which is related to preparation and landscaping, is underway and is ready to be handed over to the private sector, he said.
Golshan added that domestic and foreign investors have so far visited the port, and three investment groups are in negotiations with the Ports and Maritime Organization. “These investments are made according to the law through a public call and tender, and one of these groups has a foreign partner.”
Langeroud governor noted that various sections have been designed that can function as a water sports center, including boating, swimming and marine recreation in the Chamkhaleh recreational, tourism and passenger port complex.
“There is also the possibility of building a coastal hotel, restaurants, marine clubs and a place for berthing of cruise ships in the port.”
The Ports and Maritime Organization also provides investors with long-term loans for implementation of the projects and purchase of cruise ships.
Handicrafts of Langeroud, especially traditional clothing of women of eastern Gilan, including Qasemabadi dress and Chador-Shab (silk or cotton fabric traditionally woven by the hands of women), are exported to France and their producers are active in Langeroud county itself.
Golshan stated that after 11 years, a lifeguard was activated on Chamkhaleh beach this year. “With the employment of 105 lifeguards and cooperation of the Red Crescent and the police, not a single drowning case was recorded on Langeroud beaches, which has provided significant peace of mind for tourists.”
Mehrdad Lahouti, a representative of Langeroud people in Iranian Parliament, considered tourism to be the third axis of the marine-based economy. According to Seventh Five-Year Development Plan Law, the country must welcome 15 million foreign tourists and to achieve this goal, infrastructure must be provided, he added.
