Iranian Ambassador Promotes Cultural Tourism as a Tool for Public Diplomacy at Global Festival, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 12, 2025

The World Cultures Festival is an annual international event aimed at strengthening cultural diplomacy and expanding international cooperation. This year, representatives from 63 countries, as well as cultural and diplomatic institutions, gathered to showcase their nations’ tourism capacities and cultural heritage. The festival provided a platform for nations to share their unique traditions, art, and tourism opportunities, thereby fostering deeper cultural and diplomatic ties between countries.

The festival’s overarching goal is to create an environment where different cultures can learn from one another and work together to develop mutually beneficial partnerships. By focusing on cultural exchange, the festival has become an essential tool for promoting sustainable tourism, which in turn helps to improve relations between nations. The event also provides an opportunity for participants to explore international investment opportunities, forge new business partnerships, and promote global tourism development.

Iran’s Contribution to the World Cultures Festival
As part of the festival, Iran exhibited its rich cultural heritage and tourism attractions through a dedicated pavilion. This pavilion served as a showcase for Iran’s diverse tourism offerings, allowing visitors to explore various aspects of Iranian culture, history, and natural beauty. The exhibition highlighted Iran’s unique cultural landmarks, ancient monuments, vibrant arts and crafts, and famous tourist destinations. Iran’s participation in the festival exemplified its commitment to promoting its cultural and tourism sectors as an integral part of its diplomatic efforts.

Iran’s display at the World Cultures Festival was designed not only to attract tourists but also to foster cultural dialogue and expand international tourism opportunities. The pavilion featured a variety of cultural works, including traditional art, music, and crafts, alongside information on key tourist attractions such as Persepolis, Isfahan’s architectural wonders, and the natural beauty of Iran’s deserts and mountains. By sharing these aspects of its heritage, Iran aims to increase its visibility in the global tourism market and build stronger cultural and economic relationships with other nations.

Cultural Tourism’s Role in Public Diplomacy
Habibollahzadeh’s address emphasized that cultural tourism is not only about promoting a country’s tourism sector but also about using it as a means to strengthen public diplomacy. By hosting and participating in international cultural events, countries can create a platform for dialogue, exchange, and collaboration, which ultimately leads to a deeper understanding between nations. As more countries embrace cultural diplomacy through tourism, it becomes easier to address global challenges together, whether they relate to economic cooperation, environmental sustainability, or peacebuilding.

The role of tourism in diplomacy extends beyond simply showcasing cultural heritage—it also serves as a conduit for business and economic development. Cultural tourism encourages investment in infrastructure, local communities, and small businesses, generating economic benefits for the host country. In this sense, tourism is not just a driver of economic growth but also a tool for fostering international cooperation and mutual respect.

The Impact of Cultural Diplomacy on Tourism Development
Tourism has become an increasingly important economic sector in many countries, contributing significantly to GDP and creating jobs. As countries like Iran continue to invest in cultural tourism, the long-term benefits for both visitors and locals are becoming more apparent. Cultural tourism promotes the preservation of local heritage, supports sustainable travel practices, and encourages respect for the environment and local cultures.

For tourists, cultural experiences provide a deeper understanding of the world around them, enriching their travel experiences and fostering cross-cultural connections. These experiences help tourists connect with local communities and gain a greater appreciation for different cultures, traditions, and histories. For local communities, tourism provides opportunities to showcase their unique heritage, gain international recognition, and develop their economies through job creation and business opportunities.

Building Bridges: The Diplomatic and Economic Value of Cultural Tourism
The Third World Cultures Festival in Ankara exemplified the growing importance of cultural tourism in global diplomacy. It provided a platform for countries to collaborate, share their cultural assets, and promote tourism as a means of strengthening international ties. By showcasing the cultural richness of various nations, the event helped to foster a greater sense of global unity, collaboration, and respect.

For Iran, the festival was an opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to cultural diplomacy and its growing tourism industry. By engaging with global audiences and other nations, Iran is positioning itself as an attractive destination for international tourists and investors. As cultural tourism continues to grow in importance, events like the World Cultures Festival will play an increasingly crucial role in promoting peace, economic development, and mutual understanding across borders.

Cultural Tourism’s Power to Connect Nations

The World Cultures Festival in Ankara should remind everyone about the role that cultural tourism can play in connecting nations and helping achieve goals relating to sustainable development and improving international affairs. As there continues to be an emphasis on cultural diplomacy, it seems as though tourism will be an increasingly integral part of helping nations cooperate. By incorporating cultural tourism, nations will have opportunities not only to improve their economies but also help make the world a more united and peaceful place.