Simultaneous holding of the 15th International Tourism Exhibition and the 35th Tehran Handicrafts Exhibition will lead to synergy and increase cooperation in these two fields, said deputy head of the handicrafts department at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.
“Tourism and handicrafts are the two wings of this ministry and we consider the simultaneous holding of these two exhibitions as a good sign,” Pouya Mahmoudian told CHTN on the sidelines of the two events on Monday.
The 15th International Tourism Exhibition and the 35th Tehran Handicrafts Exhibition are underway at the Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds from January 29 to February 1.
She expressed hope that the simultaneity of the two events will increase cooperation between the two fields.
Mahmoudian expressed her satisfaction with the reception of the exhibitions this year, saying those involved in both tourism and handicrafts have participated to their full potential.
In addition to getting acquainted with the tourism capacities of different provinces, enthusiasts and visitors of the exhibitions visited the handicraft products of artists from 31 provinces, she said.
Mahmoudian added that in this year’s exhibition, special emphasis was placed on deprived provinces, with free stalls allocated to twelve provinces.
“Fortunately, in recent years, the process of national and international inscription of Iranian cities and villages in the field of handicrafts has been accelerated, leading to impressive promotion in production, sales, supply, and export of handicraft products in these areas,” she said.
According to a report by IRNA in March, Iran has globally registered 11 cities and three villages under handicrafts during the past six years, making the country a world leader in registering local productions.
A council for the national registration of cities and villages with special native handicrafts in Iran was formed in 2017 to pave the way for the global registration of handicraft regions.
“We hope that this year’s exhibition can bring good results for both tourism and handicrafts,” Mahmoudian concluded.
The deputy head of the cultural heritage department at the ministry, Ali Darabi, also visited the exhibitions.
On the sidelines the event, he said that showing respect for handicraft artists is emphasized at this year’s exhibition.
Darabi said over 10 large halls and over 450 pavilions were established at this year’s exhibitions.
Although the issue of the pandemic and its effects have changed the atmosphere of the exhibitions this year, we are pleased to see the widespread participation and enthusiasm of the private sector as well as the public sector in various fields, he said.
“Another good news about this year’s exhibition, both in tourism and handicrafts sections, is that the private sector has participated in its full potential. This year, the less privileged provinces have been able to participate without any concern. In the ministry, we also tried to provide more physical and moral support for these provinces,” he added.
