Official: Iran one of world's low-cost tourism destinations

According to the public relations department of IUESA, he said for an increase of 30 tourists, a new job can be created.

Referring to the importance and role of tourism industry in economic development, Zarandi said it is clear to everyone that tourism can open a horizon for employment and economic boom in many countries. 

According to the World Travel and Tourism Organization, tourism accounted for $7.6 trillion i.e. 10% of GDP in 2017 and it has created 292 million jobs equal to one tenth of global employment, he added it is accounted for 6.6% of the world exports and 30% of service exports in this sector.

These figures indicate the increasing importance of this sector, particularly since we notice that there will be nearly 2 billion international tourists in 2030 and a close competition among countries and cities to attract tourists, he said, adding that tourism has had the fastest growth among various sectors of the world economy for the sixth consecutive year.

Despite geopolitical unrest and economic and political turmoil, tourism has boosted the lives of millions through job creation, poverty reduction and the promotion of development, he said. 

Tourism industry can lead to sustainable employment and can also help bring world peace through bridging nations and cultures, he said.

Tourism is more sensitive to ecosystem than other parts of the economy, and it helps to preserve biodiversity in the earth, Zarandi said. 

Many countries have come to the conclusion that barriers for tourists do not lead to security of the country, but put opportunities for economic growth and employment at risk, he said. 

Iran is well-positioned in terms of price competitiveness, which is measured by indicators such as ticket taxes and airport charges, hotel price index, purchasing power parity and fuel prices. This indicates that Iran is a low-cost destination for tourists, while taking into account that it ranks 9th in the world in terms of cultural heritage sites, Zarandi said.