With an estimated population of about 78 million, most of them aged under 30, the Islamic Republic of Iran, to use the official title, attracts something like two million tourists a year. A significant chunk originate from the European Union, notably Italy, Germany, France and Belgium.
Evidently realising the potential of the country and, of course, the economic benefits, the authorities want to boost that number and they are very ambitious, planning to attract 20 million visitors annually by 2015. Quite a feat but they are working very hard on it. Having been there, I cannot see why they should fail, provided nothing untoward happens in the region that may scare visitors away.
Why would one want to holiday in Iran?
That was what I asked myself too when the invitation to visit the country ended up on my desk. In a way, I was an accidental tourist. It seems the invite from the Iranian Embassy in Rome, which also covers Malta, was made to somebody else but the person was unable to go. It was then channelled to me and, I have to admit, I immediately decided to take it up.