An International Cultural-Trade Center of Iran is to open in Tunis, Tunisia, by the private sector aiming at attracting tourists from North Africa.

Tehran, 19 October 2005 (CHN) -- Muslim countries of North Africa have a lot common cultures with Iran, therefore they could be considered as target countries to attract tourists from. The inauguration of Iran’s International Trade and Cultural Center in Tunisia capital, Tunis, will be a start point for cultural and economic activities in this area.

“Talks have been carried out with the government authorities and the private sector of Tunisia tourism to establish the trade center, which will be consisting of cultural, business, and tourism sectors,” said Roghieh Hatamipour, director of Iran and Tunisia Friendship Association and Flamingo Travel Agency based in Tehran.

According to Hatamipour, a large building in the center of Tunis will be devoted to the project, which will house cultural and trade companies such as hotels and travel agencies of Iran, Tunisia, and other countries of North Africa.

Hatamipour explains that, following the establishment of this center, travel agencies from different countries such as Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, and Libya, with the invitation of Flamingo agency and with Tunisian agencies as host, will gather to get more familiar with each other and to introduce the attractions of their countries ; “Iran will have a great chance to attract more tourists from these countries due to its special place in the world and among the Islamic countries,” she adds.

Different kinds of CDs, catalogues, and tourism guide books will be provided for introduction of Iran in the International Trade Center and in the meeting of travel agencies’ managers. Hatimipour believes that introducing Iran’s climate would be an advantage for attracting tourists from the dry and hot African countries.

“Although Iran inbound tourism has been hurt by the political issues of neighboring Iraq, its nuclear program, and the recent presidential elections, countries such as Tunisia and Libya understand well the concept of terrorism and the allegations against Iran, therefore, welcoming the new tourism relations,” she asserts, concluding that work on the North Africa market can be of great help to boosting Iran’s tourism.