www.tehrantimes.com Following the visit of some Russian tourism authorities from Iran, the two sides reached mutual understandings in tourism sector.

Based on the new agreements, Iran will be the main tourism destination of Russians in the coming 3 years. Establishing an information office for Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s tourism attractions in Russia, producing TV programs with the subject of Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s attractions, and holding tours for Russian travel agencies and reporters are the articles of the memorandum of understanding between Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s and Russian tourism authorities.

Introducing and advertising Iran in the TV and radio programs of Russia will pave the way for the arrival of Russian tourists in Iran.

Russian tourism delegation had a visit with the authorities of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Iran yesterday, 4th of December, studying the approaches to tourism development between the two countries.

The Russian delegation consisted of Vladimir Ivanovich, director of the federal air transport service of Russia, and a member of European Iranologists association, Shpilko Sergei Pavlovich, president of the Russian Association of Travel, Irina Tyurina, spokeswoman for the Russian Tourism Union, and a Russian reporter and photographer, who met and negotiated with Ali Hashemi, deputy director of Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, and representatives of Iranian travel agencies deputies.

The Russians came to Iran to pave the way for the traveling of Russian citizens to Iran and make the country a fashionable tourism destination, as they themselves said with regard to the purpose of their trip.

Pavlovich believes that Iranian hospitality, Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s unique tourism attractions, and its enthusiasm to develop its tourism are the main strength points of the country to attract tourists. أ¢â‚¬إ“The Russian Association of Travel is looking for new destinations for Russian travelers, and Iran could be a good choice for them in this respect,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ said Pavlovich.

The Russians have shown great interest during the meetings for sending tourists to Iran. A large number of countries have come to Iran for tourism development so far, but the Russianأ¢â‚¬â„¢s efforts have been somehow unique in this regard.

According to Pavlovich, although Russians regard Iran as a good country, they do not have a positive view towards making a trip to the country for example due to negative comments introducing Iran as a dangerous tourism destination on some Russian-language websites.

The delegation visited Iran at the invitation of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, getting familiar with different aspects of Iran which made them surprised of how much difference existed between what they saw and what they had heard about Iran in the propagandas.

President of the Russian Association of Travel also suggested some approaches to Iran to attract Russian tourists to the country, such as advertising in the Russian media, launching websites, and providing facilities for travel agencies. Pavlovich believes that the first step is to introduce the reality of Iran, a country with hospitable people and a lot of tourism attractions.

أ¢â‚¬إ“Iran should be turned into a favorite destination for Russian wealthy people. Several tours can be arranged for them between different cities of Iran, and they can make a voyage on the Caspian Sea. Russian skiers can also come to Iran to ski in its beautiful ski resorts,أ¢â‚¬آ‌ explained Pavlovich.

Pavlovich also believes if special beaches are allocated to foreign tourists, a large number of the one million and 500 thousand Russian tourists who go to Turkey every year will come to Iran.

Some 20 million Russians travel outside the country each year, 6.5 million of whom are tourists. Of these people, about one million and 500 thousands go to Turkey, while 200,000 travel to Dubai and 1000 visit Iran every year.

Based on statistics of the Russian Tourism Organization in 2004 about 30,000 Russians came to Iran just 1,000 of whom were tourists and the rest came for business or for personal purposes. Russia is one of the target countries of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Iran, according to the four-year development program of the government. So, Iran should attract some 30,000 Russian tourists to the country by the year 2009.

Iran has taken some measures in this respect. Deputy director of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Iran announced that Iran is going to establish some information and advertising offices in Russia, through which it introduces Iran as a tourist destination to Russians. Two groups of Russian reporters from TV channels have now applied to Iranأ¢â‚¬â„¢s Embassy in Russia to come to Iran. ICHTO will sponsor their trip to the country.