The North Caucasian regions of Russia and Iran intend to exchange tourists. On June 16, the Memorandum of Understanding in the presence of Maxim Reshetnikov, the Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, was signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Association of Air Transport and Travel Agencies of the Islamic Republic of Iran Rafi Hormatollah and Chairman of the Russian-Iranian Business Council at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation Leonid Lozhechko.

"The parties agreed to jointly develop inbound and outbound tourism in both countries, create innovative tourism products, organize tour routes, exchange experts, and expand human resources. The signing ceremony took place at the SPIEF-2023 venue," the report added.

Reshetnikov noted that Russia and Iran are building a common trade space together, developing transport infrastructure, including the North-South corridor, and developing the Caspian Sea. According to him, an extremely important area in the work of states is the development of tourism, in particular, the planned introduction of a visa-free regime for tourist groups.

"We expect that in July, the first Russian tourists will visit Iran, and Iranian tourists will visit Russia. Of course, the North Caucasus is an absolutely unique place on the map of our country, both in terms of tourism and in many other areas. Therefore, we strongly welcome the development of cooperation with this particular region, which is strategically important in the work of the Russian government. At the same time, the Caucasus is a ski holiday, a beach holiday, and, of course, a rich cultural and historical heritage. We are confident that the citizens of Iran will appreciate the Caucasian hospitality," the minister said.

Rafi Hormatollah noted that the memorandum's conclusion would create new opportunities for cooperation. "We are already working on the flow of tourists in both directions through the airspace; I hope that further we will master sea transportation through the Caspian Sea and will be able to make tourism more popular and easier for our citizens. Now, if the issue of a visa-free regime, which is an important strategic point for us, is resolved, I am sure that we will witness an unprecedented increase in the flow of tourists," Hormatollah stressed. He also noted the importance of creating a single executive body between Russia and Iran, which would register and regulate the flow of tourists. Today, the Russian-Iranian Business Council at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation acts as such a link.