This archive report was first published on 30 June 2019.
On June 30, 2019, Iran's cabinet made a significant move to boost tourism by waiving visa requirements for Chinese nationals.
According to state news agency IRNA, the decision was made to capitalize on Iran's numerous attractions and offset the economic hardships caused by US sanctions.
Tourism board chief Ali Asghar Mounesan told IRNA that the sector is 'unsanctionable' and could help alleviate the country's ongoing recession.
Iran has been facing economic difficulties since the US withdrew from the multilateral nuclear deal last year and reinstated tough sanctions, particularly targeting the country's oil exports and international financial transactions.
Despite the challenges, some 52,000 Chinese tourists visited Iran during the 12 months to March, and the country is optimistic about increasing this number.
Iran has also recently announced that it would no longer stamp visitors' passports, allowing them to bypass a US entry ban on travellers who have visited the Islamic Republic.
