Jamshid Hamzezadeh, President of the Iranian Hoteliers Association:
A Joint Hospitality Event Between Iran and Turkey is a Significant Step in Strengthening Bilateral Relations
The collaboration between Iran and Turkey in the fields of hospitality, education, joint events, technical knowledge exchange, and opportunities for investment and advanced hotel equipment procurement has created broad avenues for cooperation. Turkish companies are encouraged to participate in this market. Dr. Jamshid Hamzezadeh, President of the Iranian Hoteliers Association and a member of the Supreme Council of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, has been a key figure in advancing these efforts. In this interview, we explore the current state of Iran’s hospitality industry and the potential for collaboration with Turkey, leveraging his role within the highest decision-making body of the Ministry of Tourism.
Dr. Hamzezadeh, could you provide an overview of the Iranian Hoteliers Association? When was it founded, and what is its structure?
The Iranian Hoteliers Association was founded in 1991 and has since been the sole official body representing hoteliers across the country. It encompasses all provinces and free trade zones, with no parallel organizations. Each province has its own hotelier association, which is linked to the national body. Our structure operates with elections held every three years, where provincial presidents are elected as members of the national board of directors. This level of cohesion and cooperation has ensured that the Iranian Hoteliers Association remains active and effective.
How many hotels are currently operating in Iran, and how many of them are five or four-star establishments?
At present, Iran has around 1,500 hotels, of which 78 are five-star and 170 are four-star hotels. These establishments offer substantial capacity to accommodate both domestic and international tourists. Additionally, around 550 hotels are under construction, with private sector investment totaling approximately 57 billion tomans.
Regarding government incentives for hotel construction, do these incentives offer enough appeal to attract domestic and foreign investors?
Despite government incentives, such as tax exemptions for certain hotels, there remain challenges for investors in Iran’s hospitality sector. Most investors enter this field out of passion rather than a focus solely on profitability. However, the volatility of exchange rates and economic conditions has deterred many foreign investors from entering this market.
When it comes to hotel equipment, has Iran achieved self-sufficiency in domestic production, or does the country still rely on imports?
Many specialized hotel equipment items, especially for five-star hotels, are not produced in Iran. Items like specific elevators, fire-resistant and hypoallergenic carpets, and other high-durability equipment are primarily imported. Fortunately, under the Seventh Development Plan, legislation has facilitated the import of specialized equipment for tourism infrastructure, reducing customs tariffs as well.
What plans do you have for fostering international collaborations, particularly with neighboring countries like Turkey, within the Iranian Hoteliers Association?
One of our top priorities is establishing closer interactions with Turkish hoteliers. This collaboration may be organized under a federation or even through the Turkish Travel Agencies Association (TURSAB), with several key objectives:
- Hosting Joint Exhibitions: We aim to organize industry-specific exhibitions, particularly focused on hotel equipment. While we prefer to hold these exhibitions in Iran, we are also open to hosting them in Turkey. In areas like furniture and seating production, Iran has an edge with lower prices and higher-quality products, though Turkey excels in certain technologies, offering us valuable learning opportunities.
- Conducting Joint Training Workshops: Another important initiative is holding joint training workshops. We would welcome experienced Turkish instructors to conduct courses on hotel management and hospitality services in Iran, enhancing the skills and knowledge of Iranian hoteliers.
- Hotel Visits: We are also planning educational visits to Turkish hotels. These trips will provide participants with first-hand exposure to Turkish hotel operations, from management structure to equipment and staffing.
- Joint Conferences: Hosting joint conferences is another area of focus. In Iran, we plan to organize conferences involving both Iranian hoteliers and some Turkish hoteliers and officials. Likewise, we are prepared to send delegations to Turkey during exhibitions. Turkey’s advanced hospitality industry and cultural and historical proximity to Iran make these interactions valuable.
Ultimately, I believe that collaborating with Turkey in these areas holds great significance for us and offers substantial opportunities for advancing the hospitality sector in Iran.
What is the role of the Strategic Tourism Council at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, of which you are a member, and how can it contribute to the development of the tourism industry?
The Strategic Tourism Council of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts functions as a think tank for the ministry. This council examines strategic issues and acts as a technical body in major decision-making processes. Three key working groups operate under the council, focusing on tourism, cultural heritage, and handicrafts, evaluating and approving various plans and initiatives.