Highlighting the significant role of media in attracting foreign and domestic investors in tourism sector, the official said special cameras would be installed in cities and tourism attractions across the country to introduce the tourism potentials to the world.
"An estimated one billion people will have the chance to get acquainted with Iran’s cultural and tourism potentials through satellite TV channels,” Kholdi said.
About 1,000 destinations including 14 cities and 100 villages have been identified as exemplary tourism sites in Iran, the official said, adding ICHHTO has plans to improve the country’s tourism industry through improving tourism services offered in exemplary destinations.
Meanwhile, President of World Trade Center Tehran Mohammad Reza Sabzalipour said some of the world’s most prominent hotel managers will visit Iran soon to discuss investment in the country’s tourism and construction of luxury hotels.
"One of these brand names, a large hotel management company, owns more than 150 luxury hotels in five continents and is famous for its services and hospitality,” he said, without naming them.
Sabzalipour said extensive negotiations with several big names in the sector had been going on for a year for investment in the construction and renovation of hotels and commercial hotel management.
"After months of consultations and extension of guarantees, we have convinced them to make investment and paved the way for their presence in the Iranian market.”
The delegates are planned to travel separately, visit tourist destinations and hold talks with Iranian mayors and state officials as well as private investors.
The country is among the world’s top potential tourist destinations with a treasure trove of ancient sites, including 17 places registered on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
Tourism, however, is a neglected industry in Iran which has relied on oil exports for decades.
He said Iran currently has the capacity to host 2-3 million foreign tourists a year, adding the country plans to turn the tourism sector into the second source of revenue after oil.