Iran medical tourism “highest growth” sector

In an article in the Tehran Times 4.7m foreign tourists arrived in the first seven months (starting March 21). Iran’s tourism chief is quoted saying medical tourism was the highest growth area. The country has revoked visa requirements for Oman medical travelers, and is considering doing the same for patients from China.

“During the first seven months [of the year, starting March 21], some 4.7 million foreign tourists arrived in the country that shows a significant progress compared to the same period last year,” Iran’s tourism chief, Ali-Asghar Mounesan said.

“We can say that we have improved in all arenas of foreign tourism, however, medical tourism has achieved the highest growth.”

Iran hosted some three million inbound passengers during the same period last year, the official added.

“The country is also thriving in the field of domestic tourism,” said Mounesan. Elsewhere in his remarks, the official said, “In the sphere of medical tourism, Oman is one of our targets for whom Iran has unilaterally waived visa requirements. Revoking visa requirements for Chinese travellers is also on the agenda,” he said.