UNWTO pledged its support for sustainable tourism development in Iran at the 8^th Shiraz International Tourism Fair held in Iran´s Fars Province from 4^th to 7^th July, amidst strong growth in tourism worldwide.

UNWTO´s Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, Harry Hwang, visited Iran to attend the 8^th International Tourism Fair, and delivered a congratulatory message from Secretary-General Taleb Rifai to delegates.

¨This Fair takes place at a key moment for tourism, with latest figures showing strong growth in the sector, ¨ said Mr. Rifai in his letter. ¨The Shiraz International Tourism Fair, bringing together numerous countries and important players from the private sector, plays an important role in drawing attention to Iran´s many tourism attractions and setting out strategies for future growth.¨

The Secretary-General´s message came at a time in which almost half of the 982 million international tourists travelling the world are visiting emerging economies. This has been a growing trend over recent years, as more countries have opened up their borders to international tourists and new destinations have emerged.

Iran, a UNWTO Member since 1975, is one of the oldest ancient civilizations in the world. The country has been actively involved in UNWTO´s Silk Road Programme, which promotes the development of responsible, sustainable and accessible tourism throughout the countries on the Silk Road, since 1993. In 2000/2001 UNWTO, aided by a team of consultants, the Government of Iran and UNDP developed a Tourism Master Plan for Iran.

¨Over the past years, Iran, through the Iranian Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, has been working closely with UNWTO to sustainably develop its growing tourism sector, ¨ Mr. Rifai stated in his letter for the Tourism Fair. ¨UNWTO is strongly committed to supporting […] ICHTO in ensuring sustainable tourism development in your beautiful country, Iran.¨

In attendance at the International Tourism Fair were the Deputy President of the Islamic Republic of Iran Mr. Moussavi, the Director of Iranian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) Mr. Hussain Sadeq Abedin, the Governor of Fars Province, ambassadors to Iran from 30 countries and Iranian tourism officials.