Does Iran Have Tourism? (Ranking, Statistics, Attractions)

Traveling and adventure have always been part of human life. Whether the purpose of your trip is business or pleasure, you move from one place to another as a visitor exploring a different location. Iran has been recognized by millions of travelers who visit this Middle Eastern country for both its rich history and touristic sites as well as work purposes. Over the years, Iran has made great changes for its guests by establishing advanced amenities and renovating several areas in the country for a better experience. Being recorded as one of UNESCO’s top 10 countries possessing antique relics, Iran has had a successful tourism industry for many years. But these questions remain: can tourists travel to Iran? And does Iran have tourism?

Stay with us to find out more about Iran’s Tourism industry.

Tourism in Iran

Tourism is generally considered recreational travel. However, in recent years, tourism includes any travel that allows a person to leave their work or life environment, even for business.

Can Tourists Travel to Iran?

In today’s era, the tourism industry is known as one of the basic foundations of the economy in all countries of the world, including Iran. Iran has a great capacity and a bright future in the tourism industry.

Iran has become an attractive destination for tourists who plan to travel to North Africa and the Middle East due to its ability to develop, improve its infrastructure, and face progressive changes. The World Tourism Organization and UNESCO also consider Iran to be one of the top 10 countries in the world in terms of tourist arrivals due to its many tourist attractions.

According to recent reports, with the boom in Iran’s tourism industry, the employment rate of this industry has also increased in Iran. In 2020, 1.2 million people were active in Iran’s tourism industry. In 2021, this figure increased to 1.9 million people, with a growth of 700,000 people, which is equivalent to 7.6%.

American Tourists in Iran in April 2024

Why does Iran have a high potential for Tourism? Iran is a country with countless natural and cultural attractions, which have great potential in this industry due to its climatic, cultural, historical, and religious attractions, as well as having a high-capacity young labor force.

Can Tourists Go to Iran Now?

The existence of various capacities in types of tourism, including natural, historical, religious, commercial, etc., has made Iran a unique and wonderful spot for adventurers even to this day. The diverse religious places of different religions, churches, tombs, and shrines of Jews, Zoroastrians, and Muslims, in addition to the country’s availability of a young and talented workforce, appropriate services, and its costs compared to other countries in the region is a bonus for Iran’s tourism and welcoming tourists annually.

Most tourists are interested in the climate, culture, or nature of their destination. The rich have always traveled far and wide, ultimately for a purpose, such as sightseeing famous buildings and works of art, learning new languages, ​​and tasting different food. As mentioned, tourism is a very crucial industry in all parts of the world.

History of Iran’s Tourism

Tourism has been active in Iran ever since its ancient dynasties. The presence of the popular Silk Road in Iran, the caravanserais, old huts, and extensive communication routes have been the reason for the passage of many travelers. In different periods with the reigns of different governments, such as the Achaemenid Empire, the Seleucid period, Qajar, etc., tourism was based on various purposes.

During the Safavid period, one of the most prosperous eras of tourism in Iran, the most significant factors that were taken into account were development, increased security, suitable communication routes, and the establishment of numerous facilities in Iran. In 1935, for the first time, The Ministry of Home Affairs Office, named ” The Foreign Tourist Attraction and Advertising Office,” was established in Iran, and the affairs related to Iran’s tourism were entrusted to this office.

Iran Tourism Ranking

The tourism industry is ranked third among the world’s largest industries. According to the latest tourism statistics, there are 48 countries in Asia with a population of more than 4.562 billion people who are constantly traveling to different countries every day, and based on the reports of the World Tourism Organization, tourism in Iran ranks 10th among countries with ancient and historical attractions and 5th among natural attractions in the world.

Tourism in Iran 2024

Tourism in Iran as an industry has very high capacities for growth and development. Iran is seen as one of the safest countries in the Middle East. In 2008, while 842 million tourists traveled the world, about 2 million foreign tourists visited Iran.

Iran’s Top UNESCO Sites

With the marking of 27 Iranian historical and natural monuments in the list of UNESCO, Iran stands at ninth place in the world registration among 161 member countries of UNESCO. Iran has one of the oldest civilizations in the world, in such a way that many cultural elements in today’s world are indebted to the Aryan civilization.

This land has been the origin of rich human civilizations and cultures in different historical periods, and therefore, it has been the source of many historical and natural heritages.

This Iran UNESCO World Heritage Sites list includes 25 cultural heritage works and 2 natural heritage works. Bam Citadel was severely damaged after the earthquake in Bam, and since then, it has been on the list of endangered works, but due to the restorations carried out over the past years, UNESCO removed the Bam Citadel from the list of endangered works.

Persepolis – Shiraz

Persepolis, or the City of the Persians, is a symbol of grandeur in ancient Iran and one of the top things to do in Shiraz. Perhaps the relics in the city of Persepolis and the remaining buildings in it are some of the most important documents recorded of the history of civilization in the world.

Persepolis Iran Photos

Therefore, eminent scientists and archaeologists from all over the world have traveled to Iran to visit Persepolis. It shows the architectural splendor of the palace of the kings in the era of ancient Iran. The Achaemenid kings built their stone palaces in the heart of the mountain and near the city of Shiraz to leave a vivid picture of their power for future generations.

ChoghaZanbil Ziggurat – Khuzestan province

Choghazanbil Ziggurat is part of the ancient collections of early civilizations during the agricultural revolution and Mesopotamian civilizations in Persia. The ancient city of Susa is located in the northwest of the Ziggurat pyramid. This ziggurat, or pyramid-shaped temple, was built around 1250 BC by Elamite ruler Untash-Napirisha, who dedicated it to one of the ancient gods in Persia named Inshushinak.

This ancient monument, which is a pyramid with a quadrangular base, was protected by walls, which have now been restored. If you are interested in adventurous and historical trips to the depths of the ancient world, we recommend you visit this archeological pyramid of Iran.

Naqshe Jahan Square – Isfahan

Naqshe Jahan Square, also known as Imam Square, is one of the most beautiful places and top things to do in Isfahan, Iran. In fact, the collection of many ancient buildings of the Naqshe Jahan Square, one of the largest ancient squares in the world, has made this square a fantastic tourist attraction spot.

Naqsh-e Jahan Square Isfahan

Today, Naqshe Jahan has gathered a lot of fans all over the world. The marking of this square in the UNESCO World Heritage List shows the importance of this area. During your trip to Isfahan, you can spend a lot of time in this magnificent square and enjoy watching its historical monuments and beautiful nature, as well as purchasing the best souvenirs of Iran.

Takht-e Soleyman – West Azerbaijan Province

Takht Suleiman, which is named the birthplace of Zoroastrianism religion, has stood for five periods of human history and civilization. This distinguished and extraordinary complex, dating back to 3000 years ago, is registered in the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is one of the sights of West Azerbaijan and is located in the city of Takab. Takht-e Soleyman was the largest educational, religious, and prayer center before Islam, and it is known as the most important base of Zoroastrianism.

On the grounds of Takht-e Soleyman, you will encounter a beautiful landscape of a natural lake, a hidden gem of Iran. This bubbling limestone lake is thousands of years old and is an important reason for the construction of Takht-e Soleyman in this place.

Final Word

So, to answer your question, “Does Iran have tourism?” Absolutely!

Iran, having numerous sites marked in the world by UNESCO, can be one of the important centers to attract tourists to historical works and monuments. The existence of sites such as Persepolis, ChoghaZanbil Ziggurat, Takht-e Soleyman, Naqshe Jahan Square, and the Bam Citadel are among the most treasured world attractions of Iran. Visiting tourist attractions, listening to the beautiful sounds of nature, and getting to know the special culture of a region make you pack your bags for an adventurous trip. But whatever the reason for your trip, Iran is one of the best places to travel. From the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf, Iran’s history, culture, and natural attractions entice unlimited tourists and ensure a pleasurable trip for its visitors.

Are you planning to travel to Iran and looking for an Iran tour operator? Check out our Iran tours.