The sustainable development of villages hinges on the expansion of tourism and the empowerment of local communities
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, emphasizing the role of tourism in achieving sustainable rural development, announced the development of a joint cooperation package between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts and the Vice Presidency for Rural Development and Deprived Areas. ... the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the nomination of Qaleh Bala village for next year, said: We are seeking to form a joint council for the development of Iran's rural tourism...
According to the Iran Cultural Heritage News Agency, Anoushiravan Mohseni Bandpei, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, emphasizing the role of tourism in achieving sustainable rural development, announced the development of a joint cooperation package between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts and the Vice Presidency for Rural Development and Deprived Areas.
He stated: In line with the 14th government's policies to create productive employment, prevent rural migration, and improve the quality of life in target villages, a set of cooperation frameworks has been developed between the two organizations to systematically and effectively strengthen the unique capacities of rural tourism, especially in world-heritage registered villages such as Kandovan, Kandolus, Esfahak, Soheili, and Shafiabad.
Mohseni Bandpei pointed to the importance of developing basic infrastructure in target villages and said: Developing safe access roads, water, electricity, gas, and internet networks, renovating sewage systems and waste management, and establishing tourism service centers and handicraft bazaars are among the priorities of joint cooperation between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Vice Presidency for Rural Development.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism added: Alongside infrastructure, we pay special attention to the local economy and small tourism businesses. Establishing permanent and mobile bazaars, providing low-interest loans for small businesses, and developing incentive packages for local entrepreneurs are among the measures that can create sustainable employment and prevent the migration of rural elites.
He also announced the launch of Iran's National Rural Tourism Platform and said: This system will provide a platform for introducing the capacities, accommodations, and indigenous experiences of target villages and can play an effective role in digital marketing and attracting domestic and foreign tourists.
Mohseni Bandpei further stated that protecting valuable natural assets is one of the pillars of sustainable development and clarified: Implementing restoration projects for historical textures, training local communities to preserve natural resources, and establishing an environmental monitoring system in tourist areas are among the joint programs of the ministry with the Vice Presidency for Rural Development.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, referring to the registration of five Iranian villages in the list of the 'Best Tourist Villages of the World' by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the nomination of Qaleh Bala village for next year, said: We are seeking to form a joint council for the development of Iran's rural tourism with the participation of relevant institutions, so that the path of globalizing Iranian villages can continue with more precise planning.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism concluded by emphasizing: Rural development is incomplete without sustainable tourism. By forming a joint executive committee between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and the Vice Presidency for Rural Development and developing a cooperation roadmap within the next three months, the path of balanced, job-creating, and identity-oriented development in Iran's villages can be paved.