Traveling Iran just after the historical nuclear deal
Iran is home to some of the world’s most magnificent historical and archaeological sites with ancient ruins, glittering mosques and spectacular landscapes largely unseen by western eyes. If recent history had been different, it would be one of the most charming tourist destinations all around the world.
Huge Changes After Historical Nuclear Deal
But fortunately, big changes are on the way in Iran. The historic nuclear deal between Iran and six world powers means fresh dynamics in the Middle East, a change in the world’s perception of Iranians, wild speculation about oil prices…all this and more. When you fly to Iran these days the planes are a little more full than before. Business travelers are making their way to Tehran scoping out opportunities, hoping that sanctions might be lifted soon. More tourists also appear to be on the planes coming from Frankfurt, Rome, Istanbul and the few other places that have direct flights to Iran.
Iran’s Tourism Boom
Iran’s tourism industry looks set to grow rapidly following the lifting of economic sanctions, with more westerners looking to visit and plans being made for the development of tour companies, hotels and tourist facilities. If banking restrictions, which have been in place in various forms since the 1979 revolution, were removed it would facilitate booking transportation and hotels, withdrawing cash, and paying with credit cards during the stay in the country. Besides the sanction removal, hopes are high that warmer diplomatic relations will translate to easier visa processes and in future, even hitting the famous Markets with an international bankcard won’t be out of the question.
In other words, there’s about to be a brand new tourism heavyweight on the block. Iran has a huge amount to offer travelers, with highlights including ancient ruins, fabulously tiled palaces and dizzying mountain scenery, not to mention the famous hospitality — chatting over tea with people who are delighted at the prospect of welcoming a surge of visitors will undoubtedly be one of the most memorable experiences of a trip.
What’s new in Iran’s Tourism after the Nuclear Deal?
Following the nuclear deal, Iran’s vice-president of cultural heritage and tourism, Masoud Soltanifar, declared that “bright days” lay ahead for the country’s tourism industry, with the government taking fresh measures to ease or abolish visa requirements and announcing plans to build as many as 200 new hotels.
“No other industry in Iran will see a bigger boost than tourism as the result of this deal,” said Soltanifar. “The news about the nuclear agreement and lifting of economic sanctions has delighted our tourism industry.”
Earlier in July, he announced plans to extend tourism visas on arrival from 14 days to a month, and issue them electronically.
Following July, The UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond announcing that the British embassy in Tehran would reopen by the end of the year as governments in Tehran and London seek to normalize relations, and the warning of Foreign Office advice against all but essential travel to Iran could soon be revised.
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Tehran’s president of World Trade Center, Mohammad Reza Sabzalipour said “although Iran’s tourism is not under US-led sanctions, some recent headway in nuclear deal have led to positive openings and encouraged international hoteliers to view the Iranian market with more optimism”. “Some of the world’s most prominent hotel managers will visit Iran soon to discuss investment in the country’s tourism and construction of luxury hotels” he said. Today, Rotana hotels group, based in Abu Dhabi, confirmed that it is opening four hotels in Iran, while Accor Hotels, one of the world’s leading hotel groups, has been linked to two four-star hotels at a Tehran airport.
