Iran’s East Azarbaijan, Kazakhstan seeks to expand tourism co-op

By the Editorial Team · Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Officials from East Azarbaijan province in Iran and Kazakhstan have expressed mutual interest in expanding collaboration in tourism, cultural heritage, and handicrafts, with plans for tourism delegations and potential sister-city partnerships. This cooperation aims to leverage their shared historical ties and rich cultural assets to enhance people-to-people exchanges and joint cultural initiatives, including museum exhibitions and travel packages.

Officials from Iran’s East Azarbaijan province and Kazakhstan have expressed interest in expanding cooperation in the fields of tourism, cultural heritage, and handicrafts. During a meeting on Tuesday, Ahmad Hamzehzadeh, head of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of East Azarbaijan, highlighted Tabriz’s readiness to host tourism delegations from Kazakhstan to explore collaborative opportunities.

Hamzehzadeh emphasized the longstanding historical and cultural connections between Iran and Kazakhstan as a foundation for developing joint tourism initiatives. He noted that the provincial tourism department is prepared to accommodate specialized delegations, including travel agency representatives and tour guides, with a focus on creating joint travel packages and increasing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

In addition to tourism cooperation, Hamzehzadeh proposed establishing a sister-city relationship between Tabriz and a Kazakh city to further strengthen cultural and economic ties. He pointed to East Azarbaijan’s rich heritage, which includes over 4,800 documented historical sites, more than 2,200 monuments registered nationally, and six UNESCO World Heritage sites, positioning the province as one of Iran’s leading destinations for cultural tourism.

The discussion also covered potential collaboration between museums in the two countries. Hamzehzadeh suggested organizing joint exhibitions and exchanging historical artifacts in compliance with professional standards. He mentioned the Azarbaijan Museum in Tabriz, Iran’s second-largest archaeological museum after the National Museum of Iran, as a suitable venue to host exhibitions featuring Kazakh historical objects. The official noted the shared historical narratives dating back to the Timurid era as a significant link that could enhance cultural exchanges.

Kazakhstan’s ambassador to Iran, Ontalap Onalbaye, participated in the meeting, signaling a mutual interest in advancing these areas of cooperation. The two sides appear committed to leveraging their shared heritage to boost tourism and cultural partnerships in the near future.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.