Source: Global Times
Special correspondent Yan Yuan
The "Pink Mosque" in Shiraz, Iran, is a popular attraction in the eyes of Chinese tourists. It is said that it can make female tourists "burst their hearts". However, it is slightly regrettable that in the last two months, its ticket price for foreign tourists has risen from 200000 rials (about 130000 rials for one dollar) to 400000 rials. Ticket prices for some tourist attractions in Iran have risen again and again, and China is currently one of the most important sources of foreign tourists in Iran. Therefore, some tourists are worried that the quotation of Chinese tour groups will rise.
In addition to the "Pink Mosque", the tickets for foreign visitors to the ruins of the ancient Persian Empire, the world cultural heritage Pasalgard and Persepolis also increased from 200000 rials to 500000 rials, and the Grestan Palace, a palace complex in the King's Age, increased from 400000 rials to 1 million rials, and then increased to 1.6 million rials. The increase in ticket prices for these scenic spots occurred after the National Day Golden Week this year. Mr. Gong is a practitioner who is engaged in the local reception of Chinese tourist groups. He believes that the ticket price increase is not only for Chinese tourists.
In theory, the increase in ticket prices is targeted at all tourists, but the tickets of Iranian tourist attractions have always implemented the "price double track" for domestic and foreign tourists. Tickets for foreign tourists are written in English, while those for local tourists are written in Persian. The price of the latter is generally only 1/10 of that of the former, so even if the price of tickets for local tourists increases, it is not obvious. Some Iranian friends joked that "wool is mainly collected from foreign tourists."
It is understood that due to the financial sanctions of the United States, the cross-border connection of Iran's financial system has almost been completely cut off, and the outside world faces many difficulties in conducting international trade with Iran in compliance with laws and regulations. Tourists in Iran cannot use VISA Any bank card, including MasterCard and UnionPay credit card, cannot use Alipay and WeChat mobile payment, and can only carry foreign currency cash for consumption. In a sense, foreign tourists are willing to bring foreign exchange into Iran, and Iran does not have to pay extra costs for this. Therefore, some tourism practitioners believe that such an increase in ticket prices for foreign tourists is, to some extent, harmful to Iran's tourism industry and to the overall economic boost of Iran. Mr. Gong said that the relevant departments in Iran raised the ticket price of tourist attractions in a short period of time, which is like starting the price for tourists, because "tourism products are generally sold one or two months in advance, but when the guests arrive, the price rises. But we also have contracts with China, and this part of the cost increase can only be absorbed first".
Irregular situations, such as starting from a fixed price and ignoring contracts, are very common in Iran's tourism industry. A guide in Tehran gave an example: "Some bus drivers, we all signed contracts before, 12 million rials a day, will be on the group soon, but the other side unilaterally announced that the price would rise to 15 million rials a day, otherwise they would not work." Industry insiders worry that the hidden costs caused by uncontrollable factors such as ticket increases will eventually be reflected in product prices, The quotation of tour groups will probably rise in the next quarter.
"I think Iran always wants to occupy more 'cakes', and has no idea about how to make' cakes' bigger." Mr. Gong said that the price elasticity of consumers in the tourism industry is very high. The price of tourism products in Iran is on the high side, and another price increase will definitely drain some tourists. For Iran, The amount of consumption lost by reducing one tourist is equivalent to the income of dozens or even hundreds of tickets. It is worth mentioning that this year's "National Day" is the first National Day Golden Week after Iran granted visa free entry to Chinese citizens. Visa free entry has significantly stimulated the growth of tourists, almost doubling compared with the same period last year. According to the person in charge of Iran Phoenix Travel Agency, their travel agency has a tour group entering the country almost every day during the National Day holiday. |
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