How is Iran faring in attracting tourists and in the tourism economy?

You have surely heard many times by now that Iran, in terms of geographic location, historical background, and natural landscapes, has very good conditions for attracting foreign tourists and benefiting from the economic advantages of the tourism industry. But how much do you know about Iran's status in attracting tourists and in the tourism economy? How is Iran faring in attracting tourists and in the tourism economy?

The number of tourists who entered Iran in 1402 (2023/24) was 6.38 million people. This is while the highest number of inbound tourists to Iran was in 1398 (2019/20), when Iran had been able to host 8.83 million tourists. On this basis, the goal of attracting 20 million tourists by 1404 (2025/26), in accordance with the National Document for the Development of Cultural and Soft Technologies, appears unattainable.

In 2023, Iran stood in eighth place in the tourism economy of the West Asia region. This is while, on the basis of the National Document for the Development of Cultural and Soft Technologies, by 1404 (2025/26) Iran must be among at least the 4 top countries in the region.

The low cost of travel to Iran for foreign tourists, the numerous opportunities of the halal tourism market, health tourism, and so on are among the items that can have priority and be influential in improving Iran's position in the tourism industry.