The Governor of the Ardabil province of Iran Seyed Hamed Ameli and his delegation visited the Secretariat of the Economic Cooperation Organization on April 3, 2023.

Welcoming the Governor, the ECO Secretary General Ambassador Khusrav Noziri briefed him on the activities of the organization, especially the ongoing efforts for the sustainable development of regional tourism sector. Congratulating the Governor for selection of Ardabil as ECO Tourism Capital for 2023, he believed that this would enhance tourists’ flow to the province. He considered that the acceleration of interactive activities, including relevant events and exhibitions would be extensively helpful in regional and international promotion of the city as an important tourism point, specifically in its current capacity of ECO Tourism Capital. Given the immense resources that the region, as a whole, is blessed to possess, it could become an attractive global tourism destination, Ambassador Noziri noted. Citing the COVID-19 and the impacts of the pandemic, he underscored that the ECO is firmly committed towards advancement of tourism in the region.

The visiting dignitary highlighted some significant characteristics of the Ardabil, including the cultural, historical and socioeconomic as well as naturally in-built features of the province. Moreover, he updated the ECO Secretary General regarding program and preparation of a ceremony to be held in connection with launching the city as ECO Tourism Capital for 2023. Relevantly, the ECO Secretary General proposed that the tour operators of the Ardabil province might join the ECO Tour Operators Network, introducing some tour packages to the regional tourists. Appreciating the proposal, the Governor invited the ECO Secretary General to visit Ardabil for participation in the scheduled ceremony.