Iran earned $7 billion from tourism in the year to March 2024, just 33% of the $21 billion goal set under its sixth development plan, the Iran Chamber of Commerce said in a report on Sunday.
The figure is sharply lower than tourism revenues in neighboring countries, with the United Arab Emirates generating $52 billion and Turkey $50 billion in 2023, according to official data. The chamber’s tourism commission said the gap highlights the need for stronger policies to boost visitor numbers and foreign currency earnings.
Iran has sought to expand its tourism sector as part of efforts to diversify its economy, which faces US sanctions.