Iran and Tajikistan strengthen tourism and cultural cooperation

Thursday, January 2, 2025

In a bid to enhance bilateral ties, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, held discussions with Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Nizomiddin Zohidi, on Tuesday at the ministry’s headquarters.

The meeting focused on boosting collaboration in tourism, cultural exchanges, and handicrafts between the two nations.

Highlighting the deep cultural and historical bonds shared by Iran and Tajikistan, Salehi-Amiri proposed several initiatives to elevate their partnership.

“Our shared heritage offers immense potential for collaboration. We should work on creating high-quality cultural productions, including multilingual films, to showcase these values globally,” the minister said.

Salehi-Amiri underscored Iran’s commitment to strengthening ties with neighboring countries, with a particular emphasis on Tajikistan. He noted that an upcoming visit by Iran’s President to Tajikistan could pave the way for a new era of cooperation.

Boosting Tourism and Cultural Exchanges

The minister emphasized the untapped potential for tourism between the two countries, pointing out the linguistic and cultural proximity of their peoples.

Despite these connections, travel remains limited. To address this, he proposed comprehensive planning, agreements, and initiatives to facilitate travel, leveraging Tehran’s extensive network of over 3,000 travel agencies.

Joint cultural events, restoration projects, and the organization of cultural days featuring artists and intellectuals from both nations were also suggested.

Salehi-Amiri highlighted the potential for producing multilingual films to spotlight their shared civilizational heritage and promote cultural understanding worldwide.

To further improve connectivity, Salehi-Amiri discussed plans to expand direct flight options, including potential routes between Dushanbe and Kish Island.

He highlighted the island’s readiness to develop a health tourism city, which could attract Tajik tourists.

Tajikistan Welcomes Collaboration

Ambassador Zohidi praised Iran’s proposals, emphasizing the strong cultural, religious, and historical ties between the two nations.

“Strengthening tourism and cultural links with Iran is a priority for Tajikistan, and we are fully committed to this endeavor,” Zohidi stated.

The ambassador expressed enthusiasm for expanding tourism infrastructure, including the introduction of a direct Dushanbe-Shiraz flight.

He also proposed the removal of visa requirements to facilitate travel, a suggestion welcomed by Salehi-Amiri, who pledged to advocate for the initiative at the governmental level.

Focus on Handicrafts and Training Programs

The two officials explored opportunities for increased collaboration in handicrafts, including joint training programs and initiatives to promote artisanal traditions in both countries.

This cooperation aims to preserve and celebrate the rich cultural heritage shared by Iran and Tajikistan.

The meeting marked a significant step toward deepening ties between the two nations, with both sides expressing optimism about the future of their partnership in tourism, culture, and beyond.

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Tags: cultural heritage, Culture, Dushanbe, iran, Tajikistan, Tehran, Tourism