Thirty-five years
after it dropped off the tourist map, Iran may be set to return to the top of
“must-visit” lists for 2014. Its attractions have never been in doubt – from
ski resorts to beaches, stunning Islamic architecture, ancient archaeological
sites and superb food – but the revolution of 1979 and the Iran-Iraq war saw
the country go from a staple of the “hippie-trail” to the preserve of a few
adventurous travellers, usually in organised groups. Now, tour operators are
hoping the thawing of political relations with the west following the election
of Hassan Rouhani as president will give travellers the reassurance they need to
return. Wild Frontiers, the London and Philadelphia-based adventure travel
specialist, has already seen a 30 per cent rise in bookings. “We’ve been
operating tours to Iran for 10 years now without any issues,” says Jonny
Bealby, the company’s founder. “In fact, again and again one of the things our
clients tell us they enjoy most is the friendliness and welcome provided by the
locals.”
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