Iran has reached a series of agreements with Qatar as it mobilizes plans to host the FIFA Men’s World Cup fans in its neighboring country later this year.
Iran having good bilateral relations with Qatar has hosted many fans during last years’ global tournament. Moreover, this year also Iran’s road minister Rostam Ghasemi had a meeting with the Qatari transport minister, Jassim bin Saif al-Sulaiti who came on a two-day visit to Iran.
The agreement was signed between the two countries, where the operations to interlink the Flight Information Region (FIR) of both the countries Doha and Tehran were discussed. Similarly, enhancing the number of flights between the two countries was also highlighted in the meeting.
Furthermore, Kish Island in Iran is about a forty-minute flight and a six-hour boat ride from the Doha port. Therefore, both the countries aim to facilitate FIFA World Cup fans through frequent flights and regular boat services between the two.
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Additionally, Iran’s interior ministry tends to utilize and develop other islands and cities apart from the Kish Island to welcome the fans of the upcoming global tournament. The primary focus of the authorities is to develop the southern Hormozgan Province in order to have frequent exchange visits of fans and tourists and vice versa.
Likewise, the accessibility and easy approach between Iran and Qatar would attract tourists and would also further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries. The Iranian roads minister is reported to have said, “We are now planning to create the grounds for foreign fans and tourists to travel to Iran during their leisure times to visit our country’s attractions as well.”
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In addition to this, there are currently seventy-two flights daily between Qatar and Iran. This records for a smooth aviation exchange and this would also help to improve cargo transfers between the two countries. Moreover, President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran and Emir HH Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar also discussed the prospects for cooperation at the time of the World Cup through telephonic conversation last week.
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Conclusively, this initiative would not only enhance foreign visitors to Iran but would also boost the tourism industry in the country. Likely, the Iranian tourism ministry along with the foreign ministry has agreed to waive travel visas from Qatar to Iran for two months during the World Cup. Lastly, visitors would be allowed to apply for free single or multi-entry passes for a twenty-day stay until the tournament lasts.