Minister of Cultural Heritage: If Corona continues, Iranian tourism will be destroyed

Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts says that if the restrictions caused by the coronavirus continue, all tourism investments in the country will be "destroyed."

Ali Asghar Monsan said on Wednesday, September 16, that if the current conditions continue, "tourism activists will go bankrupt and will no longer be able to return."

He also announced a meeting with Health Minister Saeed Namaki within the next week to lift travel restrictions.

This Iranian tourism industry official added that to prevent the destruction of this industry in Iran, instead of recommendations to "not travel," emphasis should be placed on "smart and responsible travel."

The tourism industry in Iran, which is considered a nascent industry, has been severely damaged by the spread of the coronavirus.

Although accurate and up-to-date statistics on the extent of these damages have not been published, according to ISNA news agency, at least until May of this year, this industry had suffered losses of 3,800 billion tomans.

The Ministry of Industry, Mines and Trade has identified tourism-related jobs as among the jobs that have been most affected by the coronavirus.

Before the outbreak of COVID-19, the tourism industry in Iran was operating slowly and with numerous problems compared to its high potential due to international sanctions, political conflicts, and social restrictions.

Source: Radio Farda