D-8 tourism ministers Meeting Successfully Held in Tehran

Tehran, Iran | May 21, 2008 by D-8 Secretariat

A meeting of tourism ministers from the Developing 8 countries (D8) has kicked off at the Saadabad Cultural Complex in Tehran. The meeting run from May 12 to 16 in the Irainan capital of Tehran and the central Iranian city of Isfahan, with an ecotourism exhibit scheduled to be held on the sidelines of the meeting.

The event was attended by head of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, and the D8 tourism ministers.

The tourism ministers of eight developing Islamic countries discussed ecotourism, infrastructure and investment in tourism industry. The eight developing Islamic countries of Iran, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nigeria and Turkey presented a variety of strategies and approaches to boosting their countries’ tourism sector.

The objectives of D8 are to improve the position of developing countries in the world economy, diversify and create new opportunities in trade relations, enhance participation in decision-making at the international level, and provide better standards of living.

Visa-free Iran trip for D8 citizens

In the meeting, Vice Presidient Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, in behalf of the Iranian authorities lifted the need for visa for citizens of Developing 8 Countries Organization who want to visit Iran for tourism stays.

The Vice President in charge of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO), announced Iran has lifted the need for visa for 15-day stays in the country for D-8 citizens. “Passengers of eight developing Islamic countries can obtain their visa on arrival for tourist stays, provided they are holding valid travel documents,” Mashaei said.

“In order to ease tourists’ travel to Iran, the program offers visa-free travels but seeks passenger passport and data,” he added. He called on other member states of the group to ease the condition for the Islamic nations’ tour.

Indonesia currently chairs the D8. Malaysia will take over the rotating presidency next year.

*To view photographs taken during the meeting, please click here, or visit Gallery menu.

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