Iran is an amazing land

TEHRAN, Feb. 22 (MNA) – The Saudi ambassador, during a meeting with the CEO of the Iranian Tourism and Automobile Organization, referred to Iran as an amazing land.

According to the Mehr News Agency, Mohammad Hossein Sofi, the CEO of the Iranian Tourism and Automobile Organization, and the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Iran held discussions on various and diverse areas for expanding cooperation in the fields of automobile tourism, facilitating overland tourist travel, and promoting road safety culture.

Following the Saudi ambassador’s visit to the pavilion of the organization at the 18th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition and his meeting with the organization's CEO, a renewed meeting between Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi and Mohammad Hossein Sofi was held on Tuesday, February 27, 2024, at the headquarters of the Iranian Tourism and Automobile Organization to expand mobility-related relations between the two countries, with emphasis placed on new opportunities for bilateral interactions.

In this meeting, Mohammad Hossein Sofi, while welcoming the Saudi ambassador to Iran and expressing delight at this friendly meeting, referred to the 90-year history of the Tourism and Automobile Organization and its efforts and initiatives to facilitate the movement of tourist vehicles across Iran’s land borders. He stated: "We are currently negotiating with Kuwait, Qatar, Azerbaijan, and Georgia to strengthen further cooperation in this area. Previously, we have also signed agreements with other neighboring countries regarding the issuance of customs carnets (Carnet de Passages).”

The CEO of the Tourism and Automobile Organization continued by stating: "As the entity responsible for organizing Iran's pavilion at international tourism exhibitions abroad, the organization participated in the FITUR Madrid and EMITT Istanbul international tourism exhibitions this year and will also be present at the Berlin Tourism Exhibition in late February. We are now also interested in participating in any tourism exhibition that may be held in Saudi Arabia."

Mohammad Hossein Sofi, emphasizing that Islam has fostered deep ties between the two countries, added: "Iran and Saudi Arabia, with their shared cultural and historical backgrounds, can engage in effective cooperation in the fields of tourism and automobile activities. Such cooperation can strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the two countries and create new opportunities for cultural and social exchange."

Sofi also proposed organizing automobile tourism rallies and various events in the field of mobility, including an international tourism rally involving Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. He announced the possibility of providing roadside assistance services to Saudi tourists entering Iran with personal vehicles and stated: "The roadside assistance service of the Tourism and Automobile Organization is ready to provide services to Saudi tourists."

He further mentioned the production of media content in the fields of automobile tourism, safe tourism, and proper driving culture during trips as one of the areas for developing joint cooperation between Iran and Saudi Arabia, which was welcomed and approved by the Saudi ambassador.

The CEO of the Tourism and Automobile Organization then suggested strengthening overland travel between the two countries.

In this regard, he said: "Facilitating and expediting overland travel between our countries not only contributes to cultural and social exchanges but will also boost economic prosperity."

Sofi likened the overland route between Iran and Saudi Arabia in terms of historical importance to the Silk Road for China, calling it a bridge for cultural and economic exchange between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

In another part of this meeting, the CEO of the Tourism and Automobile Organization highlighted the diverse attractions in different regions of Iran for tourists traveling with personal vehicles and said: "Iran has unique attractions for automobile enthusiasts, including various deserts, forest roads, and mountain routes, which will also be appealing to Saudi tourists."

Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi, the Saudi ambassador, also expressed appreciation for the hospitality of the organization and the proposals made during the meeting, emphasizing the importance of expanding cooperation in various fields between the two countries. He said: "Iran and Saudi Arabia are two countries with rich histories and cultures that can share their cultural values with future generations through harmonious cooperation. Additionally, the automobile clubs of both countries can act as influential institutions in this regard."

Responding to the suggestion of strengthening overland travel between the two countries, the Saudi ambassador stated: "I agree and believe that overland travel can strengthen the cultural and economic ties between the two countries. Further cooperation in this area can benefit both sides."

The Saudi ambassador, expressing satisfaction with the negotiations, continued: "This meeting is the first step toward further cooperation. Iran is an amazing land, and Saudi Arabia also has unique attractions in the field of automobile tourism. These opportunities can pave the way for greater cooperation between the two countries in automobile tourism."

Abdullah bin Saud Al-Anzi stated: "I will personally follow up on the presence of the director of the Saudi Automobile Club in Iran to arrange a strategic meeting and foster good interaction with the CEO of the Iranian Tourism and Automobile Organization."

After noting the Saudi ambassador’s interest in the topic of historic cars and thanking the organization for displaying historic vehicles at the Tehran Tourism Exhibition, Sofi invited the Saudi ambassador to visit one of the permanent or temporary exhibitions of historic cars in Tehran after the holy month of Ramadan.

At the end of the meeting, the CEO of the Tourism and Automobile Organization presented the book Ancient Iran, the Cradle of World Civilization , which depicts parts of Iran’s history and civilization, to the Saudi ambassador. The book, written in Persian and English, serves as a cultural gift showcasing aspects of Iran’s history and civilization to the Saudi ambassador.

This meeting demonstrated the willingness and intention of both countries to expand cooperation in various cultural, tourism, and automobile-related fields and can lay the groundwork for stronger relations and further cultural and economic exchanges between Iran and Saudi Arabia in the future.