The China Outbound & Inbound Travel Market (COITM) will take place from 14–16 October 2026 in the New Hall (Hall 11) of the National Agricultural Exhibition Center in Beijing.  The COITM organiser is delighted to announce that the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of I.R. IRAN has officially confirmed its participation in COITM 2026.

The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of I.R. IRAN will bring multiple premium local tourism suppliers, unlocking more cooperation opportunities for Chinese outbound tour operators and build a bridge for bilateral cultural and tourism matchmaking.

A host of premium Iranian local tourism suppliers will convene at COITM 2026:

Iran has continued to streamline tourism policies for Chinese visitors in recent years. Chinese passport holders enjoy unilateral visa exemption and may stay for up to 21 days without an advance visa application, greatly lowering travel barriers. Meanwhile, Iran is improving support services and encouraging local ground operators to provide Chinese-speaking guides, custom cultural study tours and Silk Road themed itineraries tailored to the travel habits of Chinese tourists.

As long-haul outbound travel recovers, the number of Chinese visitors to Iran has seen steady growth.  Unlike other mainstream popular destinations, Iran focuses on civilization exploration, Silk Road adventures and cultural photography. It stands out strongly in China’s high-end custom and small-group outbound travel segments. Many travel agencies report that a rising number of travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences have added Iran to their long-distance bucket lists, and market demand keeps expanding. Supported by the China-Iran comprehensive strategic partnership, cultural exchanges between the two countries flourish through exhibitions and art events, laying a solid foundation for tourism development.

For Iran, participating in COITM is not merely a chance to showcase its 22 World Cultural Heritage sites of Persian civilisation. It also serves as a vital platform to demonstrate to Chinese outbound tour operators that “Iran is safe to travel to”. Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz, Mashhad — these ancient cities along the Silk Road are stepping out from the shadow of geopolitics, ready to be re-discovered by Chinese travellers as a tourism destination.

Actually, Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of I.R. IRAN will make a presentation at COITM Destination Presentation Room from 16:00-16:40 in the afternoon of 15th Oct.

Across mountains and sea, retrace the ancient Silk Road. From 14 to 16 October, all tourism professionals are welcome to visit the Iran booth at COITM. Come, embrace this millennium-old invitation from Persia and tap into new blue-ocean opportunities of Middle Eastern cultural travel.