The Islamic Republic of Iran recently organized tourism roadshows across three major Indian cities Hyderabad, New Delhi, and Mumbai with the aim of enhancing cultural and tourism relations between Iran and India. The series of events sought to foster a positive perception of Iran, promote bilateral tourism, and open new avenues for business and cultural exchange.

During the New Delhi leg of the roadshow, Iran’s Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, underscored the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties between the two countries, which had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “While Iran and India share strong people-to-people ties, it is unfortunate that these relations were weakened post-COVID. We need to work towards rebuilding these connections,” he said.

The roadshow also featured remarks from Mugdha Sinha, Director General (Tourism), Ministry of Tourism, who highlighted the shared cultural heritage and historical connections between the two countries. “Both countries are among the oldest civilizations in the world, sharing a rich history and gastronomical heritage. There are many Indian female students studying medicine in Iranian universities. We should promote Iran as a tourist destination and encourage Iranians to visit India for customized solo trips for women,” she said. Sinha also emphasized the potential for adventure, film, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism between the two countries and called for data-sharing to develop targeted strategies based on demand.

The roadshow also included collaborations with key organizations such as the Outbound Tour Operators Association of India (OTOAI), Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI), and Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) to increase Iran’s visibility among their members and strengthen the tourism partnership between the two nations.

Iran's Ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, in an interview with ANI on September 13 in New Delhi, expressed that while Iran and India share strong people-to-people ties, it is unfortunate that these relations have weakened in recent years, with citizens of both countries showing less interest in each other's national affairs. He also discussed Iran’s tourism promotion roadshow held in Hyderabad on September 13, which aims to highlight the country’s tourism potential. The event saw participation from key private sector figures from Iranian outbound travel agencies, along with officials from both the Indian and Iranian governments. Additionally, Iraj Elahi highlighted the roadshow’s focus on fostering direct connections between tourism professionals from both nations through B2B meetings.