www.tehrantimes.com Head of Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) Hossein Marashi said here Monday that Iran's share of world-wide tourism is about $500 million annually.
Speaking to reporters, he added that it is estimated that the figure will stand at $2 billion by the end of the fourth five-year development plan (March 2005-2010).
"After the revolution tourism was frowned upon for long period as a luxurious and conspicuous activity," he said. "Iran has not made adequate investments, commensurate with its indigenous talents in its tourism sector."
Marashi, also vice-president, said modernism and tradition have often stood against each other in many societies. The conflict has also manifested itself at the realms of cultural heritage, the head of ICHTO said.
Any nation which has neglected its historical treasures has found their value the hard way later on and begun to pay special attention to them.
The wave of modernism which began at the end of the Qajar period and adversely affected the cultural heritage gave away gradually to a culture of restoration and renovation, Marashi underlined.
He also lauded the formation of a new Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, which, concurrently with the inception of the fourth development plan will provide a good opportunity for revising the prevalent outlook regarding the merits of tourism.
"During the plan new policies and programs will be implemented in the sector," Marashi added.
He said that currently, Iran's share in the world tourism revenues is a meager 0.0001 percent.
Marashi said the average growth of the tourism in the Third Five Year Development Plan (March 2000-2005) stood at 6.5 percent. |