According to the Public Relations Department of the Social Security Tourism Company (HSTC), Alireza Tabesh, in a meeting with the managers of Basra’s tourism and travel service offices, pointed out the importance of strengthening tourism interactions between Iran and Iraq and said: “In line with technological developments and the growth in travel demand, it is necessary to develop and implement a joint advertising program to introduce the tourism capacities of the two countries.”
Emphasizing the need to facilitate passenger traffic and develop air and rail transportation between Iran and Iraq, he stated: “Presence at the origin” is important for us to facilitate tourism affairs, and specifically, we plan for one of the subsidiaries of HSTC to establish an office in Iraq, especially in Basra, to plan and facilitate the entry of Iraqi tourists to Iran. In parallel, a specialized tourism platform is being designed and will be launched soon.
Referring to the investment capacities in Iran’s tourism industry, Tabesh addressed the managers of Basra’s tourism and travel service offices and said: “We invite you to see Iran’s tourism capacities up close and negotiate for joint investment.”
The CEO of Hegta also emphasized the need to increase mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, adding: “Despite the common historical, cultural, and religious ties, our people still do not know each other well enough over the years. This understanding can be strengthened through travel and tourism, especially for the new generation that is more present in cyberspace. Effective advertising content can be produced for this group on digital platforms in accordance with the audience’s tastes.” Referring to the capacities of Iranian tourism in the field of hotel management and rail transportation, he stated: “Hegta’s subsidiaries in these two fields are well-known brands, and there is a readiness for these companies to provide their services to reputable Iraqi companies within a defined framework.” Also, training centers in the Homa Hotels Group and Raja Rail Transportation Company are ready to train those interested in the tourism industry with the help of experienced professors during short-term and medium-term training courses. Tabesh finally invited Basra’s travel agents to attend the International Conference on Investment Opportunities in Medical Tourism, which will be held in Khorramshahr and Abadan in two months, adding: “This conference and exhibition is a good opportunity to start new cooperation between the private sectors of Iran and Iraq, and we hope to witness practical and fruitful agreements for the development of tourism in this event.”
Yari: Iran is among the top 10 countries for tourism
Aristo Yari, Head of the Deputy Director for Supervision of Hegta Holding Companies, continued the meeting, referring to Iran’s high capacities in the tourism industry, saying: Iran is among the top 10 countries for tourism in the world, and the diversity of the climate in Iran can lead to attracting tourists from neighboring countries. While Iraq faces high temperatures in the summer season, Iraqi tourists can experience traveling to cold regions of Iran and enjoy the snowy weather.
He announced Hegta Tourism Holding’s plans for developing medical tourism and added: The President and government ministers have defined a special mission in this regard, which we and several other agencies are following. We are also trying to use the capacities of the Automobile and Tourism Center to bring Iraqi tourist cars to Iran, and we ourselves will play an active role in this matter.
The head of the deputy for supervising the affairs of Hegta Holding companies, referring to the problems related to intermediaries and brokers at the Iranian borders, stated: We have planned to organize this situation so that more appropriate medical services can be provided to Iraqi tourists. Also, the hotel complex managed by Hegta Holding will sign cooperation agreements with Iraqi agencies.
Yari announced Hegta’s plans to facilitate the travel of Iraqi tourists and said: In cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are trying to replace the physical seal with an electronic seal. Also, for rail transportation of passengers, facilities will be provided for Iraqi passengers on Raja trains to facilitate their travel in the form of organized tours to Tehran and the holy city of Mashhad.
Referring to future plans for developing joint cooperation, he added: We plan to hold a specialized exhibition in the field of Iranian medical and therapeutic capabilities and tourism in Basra so that Iran’s capacities in these areas can be properly introduced. Also, the necessary incentives and licenses have been studied so that joint investment with Iraqi economic activists is welcomed.
The Head of the Deputy for Supervision of Hegta Holding Companies, emphasizing the government’s policies in developing regional interactions, noted: Mr. Pezzekian’s government emphasizes the principle of interaction with neighboring countries, and we also adhere to the same principle in developing tourism. We invite you to visit the Arvand Free Zone and closely examine the opportunities for cooperation.
Basra Tourism and Travel Service Office Managers:
Border problems and transportation restrictions hinder the development of tourism between Iran and Iraq
Following the meeting, Basra Tourism and Travel Service Office Managers discussed the challenges and solutions for developing tourism cooperation between the two countries.
Referring to the high number of travelers between Iran and Iraq, Hussein Al-Maliki, Director of Sama Al-Basra Company, said: “Before, we had no problem chartering flights and organizing tours, but after Corona, this has become difficult for us. Now we cannot organize complete tours because tickets sell out quickly and prices are constantly changing. If a specific rate is set for Iraqi travelers, people will be encouraged to travel to Iran more.
He also mentioned border problems and added: “The situation at the Shalamcheh border is not suitable and we have to arrive at the border eight hours earlier to be able to reach our desired destination in Iran.” If facilities such as special containers are provided for Iraqi passengers at the border and Iranian hotels sign long-term contracts with us, these problems will be reduced. Also, some of our passengers are facing problems due to the strictness of Iranian passport stamps.
Saeed Abdul Jabbar, director of Karam Al-Baqir Company, emphasized the slowness of the border crossing process and said: The route between the Iraqi border and the Iranian hall is very long. In the Persian Gulf countries, passports are not stamped, but in Iran this process exists and a solution must be found for it.
He also mentioned the problem of lack of capacity in trains and added: In the case of Raja Company trains, we do not have the possibility of reservations. If a certain number of seats are allocated to Iraqi passengers in the form of a memorandum of understanding, this could help develop tourism.
Amir Al-Saadi, Director of Anwar Al-Sinbad Company, while emphasizing the identification and introduction of tourist attractions, said: Introducing Iran’s tourism potential is important, especially in Khuzestan Province. There are many attractions in Khuzestan and other provinces of Iran that we have not yet been able to visit. Khuzestan Province has great potential and more serious planning is needed to introduce it. Also, issuing more invitations to Iraqi agencies can help develop cooperation.
Tariq, Director of Rehlat Al-Sayyab Company, also considered the entry permit for Iraqi vehicles into Iran to be one of the main problems and said: If the problem of vehicle entry is solved, the number of Iraqi tourists in Iran will increase significantly.
He considered two basic issues to be decisive in the development of tourism between Iran and Iraq and emphasized: First, Iran’s tourist attractions and medical services must be properly introduced to Iraqis and a suitable image of this country must be presented. Second, border problems that make traveling to Iran difficult must be resolved. If these two issues are resolved, we can achieve our common goals in the tourism industry.
It is worth noting that this meeting was held with the aim of examining strategies for developing tourism between Iran and Iraq, and activists from the two countries emphasized strengthening joint cooperation to solve existing challenges and facilitate tourist travel.