Iran Official Describes WTC2025 As collective Reflection On Future Of Tourism

MELAKA, Sept 28 (Bernama) — Mohsen Hajisaeid, president of the Iran Federation of Tour Guide Associations, described the World Tourism Conference 2025 (WTC2025) as more than just a conference; he called it a collective reflection on the future of tourism.

He said this reflection is shaped by shared Asian values of inclusivity, resilience, and innovation, because tourism is ultimately about people, not just destinations.

“As the discussions emphasise, we must shift from destination-centric to a people-centric approach, where communities, travellers and hosts are placed at the very heart of our strategies,” he said in a statement here today.

Mohsen noted that while the 21st century is often called the “Asian century”, this title only becomes meaningful if Asian nations focus more on each other.

The region must evolve beyond being just a source of outbound tourists into a network of mutual discovery, he stressed, saying this requires cooperation between governments and the private sector to strengthen human connections, cultural understanding and economic partnerships.

Mohsen cited Nobel laureate Amartya Sen's view of development as freedom, emphasising that true economic growth must go hand-in-hand with human dignity, inclusivity, and cultural exchange.

He expressed hope that platforms like WTC2025 would help advance this vision by correcting misconceptions, such as those regarding safety in Iran, thereby fostering greater freedom to experience different cultures.

“Just as Kuala Lumpur, Melaka or Penang in Malaysia are safe for families, students and visitors, so too are the streets of Yazd, Isfahan or Tehran,” he said.

He called for the conference to be more than a platform for planning tourism's future; it must also affirm a shared commitment to a peaceful, resilient, and sustainable Asia, where cultural and intellectual differences are not divides, but opportunities for deeper understanding.

“As we look ahead, let us embrace inclusive tourism, people-centred development, sustainable transformation and resilience as guiding principles,” he said.

— BERNAMA