Speaking upon arrival in southwestern province of Khuzestan, Salehi Amiri identified Khuzestan as a key focus of efforts to expand tourism ties between the neighboring countries, highlighting the province’s potential for land travel, medical tourism and improved border infrastructure.

Given existing limitations in air transport, Iran is prioritizing the development of land crossings and road travel through four border provinces – Khuzestan, Ilam, Kermanshah and West Azarbaijan – the minister said.

Salehi-Amiri said around 3.6 million Iraqi tourists visit Iran annually, while approximately 3.6 million Iranians travel to Iraq over the same period. These figures do not include the large number of people who travel to Iraq for the annual Arbaeen pilgrimage, he added.

The minister described strengthening land-based tourism as a major focus of his visit to Khuzestan, saying officials would examine the province’s capabilities to facilitate greater movement between the two countries.

He also stressed the importance of improving border facilities and organizing medical tourism services in the province as part of broader efforts to expand bilateral tourism.

Achieving the proposed target of 10 million tourist exchanges will require new planning and the development of fresh prospects for tourism cooperation, Salehi-Amiri said.

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