TEHRAN – The average occupancy rate of Iranian hotels has fallen below 40 percent, warns the head of the hotel association, urging decisive government intervention and international marketing to revive the ailing tourism industry.
“Low hotel occupancy is a significant problem for the industry. Many hotels are struggling to cover their costs,” Jamshid Hamzehzadeh told ILNA in a recent interview, warning that it could take years for hotels to return to full capacity.
To mitigate these losses, he called for a clear, systematic and comprehensive plan that involves the cooperation of all relevant government agencies, as he believes this is crucial for the revival of the hotel industry.
However, Hamzehzadeh criticized the lack of coordination between these bodies, noting that some put their own interests above national concerns. For example, tax authorities and insurance agencies showed little flexibility or support for the tourism sector, hampering efforts to attract foreign tourists, the hotelier stressed.
“Simply opening the borders is not enough to attract foreign tourists as they do not wait at the borders to enter the country,” Hamzehzadeh stressed, adding that extensive promotional campaigns and strategic marketing efforts abroad are essential to attract international visitors.
He also stressed that participation in major international tourism fairs and the simultaneous abolition of visa requirements are necessary steps to promote tourism.
According to Hamzehzadeh, the success of a country’s tourism industry is closely linked to its political relations with other countries. “The easier it is to establish political ties with a country, the easier it is for tourists there to visit your country,” he explained.
In conclusion, he stressed that the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts must take a leading role in reviving the efforts. He stressed that everyone – from the minister to the managers and experts within the ministry – must be fully committed to tackling the challenges facing the Iranian tourism industry.
XF/AM
