In order to diversify its tourism offerings and better equip its tourism executives, Iran has announced that it will be conducting special workshops across 20 provinces.

In a bid to enhance the quality of services provided to tourists, Iranian Tourism Ministry will conduct a series of training workshops from April 8 to 19 in 20 provinces across the country.

According to a press statement, Abutaleb Qasemi, who presides over the ministry’s office for tourism studies, planning and education, has announced a plan to conduct five empowerment workshops intended to cover topics such as insurance and tax regulations, quality management of tourism facilities, energy efficiency in tourism establishments, facilitation and small tourism businesses and retraining tour guides.

Qasemi adds that the courses will be organised according to the priorities and needs of the tourism community, with specific focus areas identified for each province.

The courses will include training sessions on insurance and tax regulations for managers of tourism establishments, restaurants, and accommodation units, as well as energy efficiency workshops for accommodation units, targeting managers and experts from relevant government agencies such as the Department of Environment, local governorates, local communities, and tribal affairs, the statement adds.

Qasemi highlighted the participation of local tourism guides in an eight-hour refresher course, aimed at familiarising them with defined topics. 

Last year, the Iranian government launched a visa-waiver programme for 32 countries including India.

The statement adds that the Islamic Republic had already simplified visa requirements for some countries including Turkiye, the Republic of Azerbaijan, Oman, China, Armenia, Lebanon, and Syria, in various forms, unilateral, bilateral, and group visa cancellations, including airport visas, which were implemented in some cases.