The MOU aims at developing maritime tourism and make the
best use of its potential in the southern and northern coasts of the country.
Promoting the culture of using the sea as a link to increase
social vitality, development of coastal activities in the form of
environmentally-friendly plans and programs was among the topics of the
agreement.
Mounesan expressed hope that constructing seaside hotels on
the northern and southern coasts and bringing the international cruise ships
would also boost maritime tourism in the country.
For his part, Eslami said that having a well-organized
program for the development of beaches and the use of marine recreation is a
priority for the transport ministry.
“The passenger transportation capacity of the northern and
southern ports of the country is currently 24.8 million people per year, and
considering the ongoing development projects in the mentioned regions, this
figure will reach 25 million people by the end of the current year,” Mohammad
Rastad, managing director of PMO said during the meeting
he added: there are currently 57 passenger ships with a
total capacity of 7,500 people operating in the country's ports, most of which
are sailing in a route between southern Bandar Abbas and Qeshm Islands