Tehran, Iran, Sept. 16
Trend:
Recent data from Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization indicate that more than three million foreign tourists traveled to Iran in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21).
Nearly 3,149,000 foreign travelers visited Iran over 5 months to August 22, marking a 45 percent rise compared to the same period last year, Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said in a recent report, ISNA news agency reported on September 16.
It added that 1,263,000 Iraqis traveled to Iran during the period, taking the lead in visiting the Islamic Republic.
More than 600,000 Azerbaijani tourists visited Iran over the five months, taking the second place after Iraqis.
Afghanistan and Turkey took the third and fourth places, respectively, with 400,000 and 330,000 tourists.
However, the number of European tourists visiting the country decreased by 22 percent during the period.
Iran is among the world’s top potential tourist destinations with a variety of ancient sites, including 17 places listed by the UNESCO.
According to a biannual report by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for 2017, Iran was the most affordable tourism destination for the third year in a row, where local foods, teas, Persian poetry books and nomadic carpets cost little.