Ahmadinejad underscores expansion of tourism to promote global peace

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reiterated the importance of tourism in improving relations among the different countries, and called for expansion of the industry to promote peace and friendship in the world.

“Tourism is no doubt an important factor in promoting the level of cultural relations and establishing peace, brotherhood and friendship among different nations in various parts of the world and it will bring economic progress to countries,” Ahmadinejad said in a message to a ceremony held here on Monday to mark the International Tourism Day.

He stressed his government’s emphasis on and attention to the expansion of tourism as an effective tool for consolidating peace and friendship among the world nations irrespective of the political positions of the governments.

Ahmadinejad also reminded the hospitality of the Iranian nation for foreign tourists, and said Iran is always ready to host all foreigners who are eager to visit the country.

Iran has always striven to promote its tourism industry. The country hosted the 6th International Middle-East Tourism Marketing Expo, the largest tourism event in the region in the Southwestern city of Shiraz in late 2009.

The event, which was registered by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), offered a new look at the tourism industry in the region.