Tourism

Before the 1979 Revolution , as many as 500,000 foreigners visited Iran annually. Hotel development was a government priority at that time. The Revolution, followed by the long Iran-Iraq Conflict, understandably encouraged most potential tourists to detour around, or fly over, Iran.

In 1996, 350,000 tourists, mostly from Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey and neighboring Persian Gulf states visited Iran. Very few westerners visited Iran ( possibly as few as 5000) but since 1998 to attract more tourists, the government has prepared more facilities, eased visa application and done more advertisement about the Culture, Art and History of Iran . In 1999-2000,  more than 1,370,000 tourists visited Iran, an interesting percentage of whom were from European countries. Howeve Iran's  tourism revenue stands much lower than targetted.

Sistan

To know more,  please go to the Tourism.

Imam Square ( Meydane Naghshe Jahan) in Esfahan