The key role of tourism in the global economy has nurtured rapid promotion in the sector in a way that all countries spare no effort to promote this industry with the help of national and international investments, the message said.

Tourism is indeed a strategic bridge that brings nations closer, the presidential statement noted. He recalled that the tourism industry helps create jobs, reduces poverty and deprivation and plays a significant role in fair distribution of wealth and healthy economic relations, he said.

"Tourism can also promote peace, friendship and stability in the world."

He said that the Islamic Republic spares no effort to help promote durable peace, social justice along with cultural/economic development through tourism promotion. Effective promotion of the tourism industry demands joint effort by state organizations, and the domestic and foreign private sectors.

"The government is determined to augment this industry and has invited Iranian and foreign investors to rise to the occasion."

World Tourism Day was commemorated at Esteqlal Hotel. The special ceremony was attended by senior officials, legislators and Tehran-based foreign envoys.

A meeting of tourism ministers from the Developing 8 countries (D8) was held in Tehran, in May this year. The event was attended by head of Iran Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO), Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei, and the D8 tourism ministers. From D-8 Organization, was present the Economist of D-8, Ms. Esen Gonen.

Gonen said that the organization urged the memberstates to continue their framework of cooperation, and prepare their Tourism Roadmap 2008-2018 soon. She said that with the beautiful natures and landscapes of its 8 memberstates, D-8 endowed with a great deal of potency in tourism sector. Malaysia, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt, and Iran are the member countries that record high percentage of tourist arrival growth each year. In the framework of cooperation, D-8 also underlines the importance of boosting a more intense work on D-8 tourism sector.