Are Iran holidays the new big thing?

damavand

Unlikely as it seems, Iran holidays could be the next big thing in travel.

Formerly part of George Bush’s ‘axis of evil’ along with North Korea and Iraq, the country is opening up to tourism since a historic nuclear deal with the US earlier this year – and a poll for trade show World Travel Market that begins in London tomorrow shows that one in six Brits would consider a holiday there.

Until recently, Iran was famed for the madcap antics of former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who said Israel should be wiped off the face of the earth, a bloody eight-year war with Iraq, and the US hostage crisis of the 1980s.

But the recent deal with world powers that saw a relaxation of sanctions in exchange for a no-nukes promise led to the Foreign Office relaxing travel restrictions, opening up the country’s ancient Persian history, 17 World Heritage Sites and unlikely attractions including 19 ski resorts.

Last week, high-end British tour operator Cox & Kings re-introduced Iran to its 2016 programme for the first time in five years, while French hotel chain Accor has opened two new airport hotels in capital Tehran.

The Cox & Kings 10-night group tours takes in sights such as Shiraz, Persepolis and Tehran, with March tours starting from £1,995 per person.

The company’s product manager Michael Fleetwood said: “Iran is a truly fascinating destination. It is where one of the world’s oldest civilisations began, and the country is rich in history and there is a wealth of cultural sites to explore.

“Hundreds of clients used to travel with us to Iran annually and we have had many people asking when we will be back. So we are expecting a great deal of pent-up demand from people eager to experience its exquisite treasures, spectacular landscapes and hospitable people at first hand.”

With regard to safety, he added: “Passengers travelling with Cox & Kings to Iran on our escorted group tours are in safe hands. In August this year the FCO relaxed their advice deeming it generally safe to travel to Iran, and we expect some travellers to be surprised by how welcoming the country is and the hospitality of its people.”

This week, six Iranian tour operators exhibit at World Travel Market, the world’s biggest travel and tourism show, with the country’s stand seven times larger than last year.

The show’s Global Trends Report 2015, in association with Euromonitor International, predicts the Middle Eastern country has the potential to be a key tourism player, with a third of travel executives quizzed saying they expect to do more business with Iran over the next 12 months.

Show director Simon Press, said: “As the leading global event for the travel industry, WTM has had a long relationship with Iran’s tourism industry, even when the country was off limits as a mainstream holiday destination – but this year, the country’s presence at WTM London is its strongest ever.

“Travel and tourism have helped to regenerate many countries affected by war and sanctions, so we hope the business deals signed this week in London will generate an influx of international visitors and help revive Iran’s economy, bringing stability to the region.”