Tourists can experience a different lifestyle in Iran: Russian visitor

Some experts believe that the hijab (Islamic head covering) and several other prohibitions in Iran are obstacles discouraging foreign tourists from visiting Iran, but the Russians have found a solution.

Russian Transport Foundation Director Yurtaev Vladimir Ivanovic has proposed that tourists should be informed that there are many positive points they can enjoy, despite the little problems they might face in Iran.

“They must learn that a journey to Iran is an experiment to resist drinking alcoholic drinks for one week, or to put on the scarf to see what hijab is,” he noted.

The head of a Russian tourist delegation who recently visited Iran said that tourists only confront these obstacles in Iran, but not in other Islamic countries, noting, “We and our colleagues in the tourism departments respect these customs and traditions, but, then again, it creates a problem for attracting Russian tourists to Iran.”

The chief editor of the internet periodical Rata News, Torinia Irina Vladimir Ona, who was part of the delegation, pointed out, “For Russian tourists, it may not seem too pleasant to travel to Iran at first glance, but, if we take into consideration the fact that we are tourists and must accept the law of the land, it will become easy to deal with things.”

On her first experience in Iran, she said, “The first couple of days it was hard for me to put on a scarf and wear a long cloak, but I got used to it on the third day, and on the fourth, when I was in my room in the hotel, the hotel serviceman knocked on the door and I rushed to my dress and scarf to put on my hijab first.”

Her friends had frightened her so much before she came to Iran that she had asked the head of the group to cross her name off the list, but now she believes what she had heard was wrong and that Iran has a great potential to attract tourists.

According to Ona, the fear is mainly due to media reports about Iran and especially the statements of the U.S. president.

She also announced that Rata News is prepared to publish information on Iran and its tourist attractions. Ona is determined to inform Russians about the high level of security in Iran and the hospitality of Iranians.

“We must make people aware of the fact. Iran is a wonderful resort for Russian tourists. Tehran’s beautiful ski slopes are also attractive for Russian tourists,” she said.

She noted that spring and summer are Russian tourists’ favorite times to travel, coinciding with Noruz (Iranian New Year) and summer vacation in Iran.

According to Ona, Turkey is the most popular tourist destination for Russians, and Thailand and Egypt come next.

Ivanovic believes that Russian tourists can be divided into four groups. The first group consists of those who only want to have fun and enjoy their vacations and they mostly travel to Turkey, Thailand, and Egypt, he said.

The second are intellectuals who are not so rich who prefer to travel and learn more about the world, he explained, adding that they usually go to European countries and countries with ancient civilizations and cultures.

The third are the rich, who head for the five star hotels in European countries, and the last group consists of merchants who travel abroad for business, he added.

Most of the Russians who travel to Iran are the intellectuals and the rich, but some also travel to Iran for skiing, he said in conclusion.

RM/ML/HG

End

MNA