Reviewing presidential election programs and promises does not reach the keywords of tourism; This negligence has raised the voices of tourism activists.
In the10 days that the seven presidential candidates have been advertised in the official media, so far, except for the two presidential candidates who have mentioned the issue of tourism in general, the other candidates of Presidential Election have not even mentioned the tourism industry.
Saeed Jalili, one of the seven presidential candidates, presented a “travel plan for every Iranian family” in general, and Ebrahim Ra’isi, who mentioned the creation of employment for one million people, only once on a radio interview.
The importance of the tourism industry and its non-closure and wealth creation has been mentioned in Presidential Election debates, but according to tourism experts and activists, ignoring the tourism economy and its sufferings and problems, which are not unrelated to the type of political diplomacy and macroeconomic challenges such as sanctions and inflation, show the inefficiency of the Presidential Election.
On the other hand, Saeed Jalili’s plan for Iranian families to travel is mostly aimed at making travel accessible to the general public and neglecting its economic and value-added aspects in the areas of employment, wealth production, and distribution.
Rather than being a lifeline and development plan for the tourism industry, it is more reminiscent of the nature of tourism plans during Esfandiar Rahim Mashai’s presidency of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization, most of which were unsuccessful.
So far, the treatment of the tourism Presidential Election and the candidates, which in the past year, according to the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, has been damaged by the outbreak of the Coronavirus. It has become a source of concern for tourists, especially after the experience with which they have so many slogans and endless promises for the tourism industry.
Cultural Heritage Ministry and Its Coronavirus Problems in Iran