Iran eases COVID-related restrictions on intl. travelers

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, international travelers to Iran should present either COVID-19 vaccination proof or a
international travelers were required to present both COVID-19 vaccination proof and a negative PCR test.Last November, Iran resumed the
issuance of tourist visas and the flow of foreign tourists from land and air borders following 19 months of suspension.However, months of
the steep recession took its toll on their incomes; many travel insiders, hoteliers, and tour operators faced big dilemmas such as
bankruptcy, unemployment, debts, and the prospects of not being competitive on the international level.Furthermore, the pandemic has taken a
huge toll on the civil aviation sector
For instance, airlines reportedly lost hundreds of millions of dollars because of flight cancellations during the high seasons.Tourism
authorities say Iran has the potential to experience a tourism boom after coronavirus is contained, believing its impact would be temporary
and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019.Iran is potentially a booming destination
for travelers seeking cultural attractions, breathtaking sceneries, and numerous UNESCO-registered sites
Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, Iran aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.AFM