SAEDNEWS: Iran and Iraq could increase annual tourist exchanges to 10 million people, Tourism Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Wednesday, highlighting the need for improved planning and stronger cross-border infrastructure to achieve the goal.
According to Saednews, Speaking during a visit to Khuzestan Province in southwestern Iran, Salehi-Amiri described the region as a key destination for strengthening tourism cooperation between Iran and Iraq, citing its potential for overland travel, medical tourism and improved border infrastructure.
Due to existing limitations in air transportation, Iran is prioritizing the development of land crossings and road travel through four border provinces: Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and West Azarbaijan, the minister said.
Salehi-Amiri noted that approximately 3.6 million Iraqi tourists visit Iran each year, while a similar number of Iranians travel to Iraq annually. These figures exclude the large number of Iranians who visit Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, he added.
The minister said expanding land-based tourism was a key objective of his visit to Khuzestan, where officials would assess the province’s capacity to facilitate greater cross-border movement between the two neighboring countries.
He also emphasized the need to upgrade border facilities and improve the organization of medical tourism services in the province as part of broader efforts to boost bilateral tourism.
Reaching the proposed target of 10 million tourist exchanges between Iran and Iraq will require further planning and the creation of new opportunities for tourism cooperation, Salehi-Amiri said.
