Nasrollah Abadian, Deputy for Urban Planning and Architecture of Tehran's Mayor, in a speech about the role of public transport in boosting Rey tourism, emphasized the necessity of preserving and introducing the historical and cultural heritage of this city. He stated that Rey, with its religious and historical sites, has become a city with a distinct pilgrimage identity and has significant capacity to host pilgrims and tourists.
The Development of Tourism and Rey's Religious Identity
Abadian continued that the comprehensive plan for Tehran identifies Rey as a "historical-religious urban center," indicating the importance of this area beyond just a residential zone. He stated that strengthening tourism in Rey is part of Tehran's balanced development policy and provides an opportunity to pay more attention to the cultural-religious capacities of the southern part of the city.
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The Deputy Mayor of Tehran, referring to the importance of easy and widespread access to historical sites, stated that the historical and spiritual value of a destination alone is not enough to boost tourism. He emphasized that the time, cost, and difficulty of reaching these destinations also influence people's travel decisions and the quality of their experiences.
The Role of Public Transport in the Tourist Experience
Abadian pointed out the importance of regular and reliable public transport, adding that this can make pilgrimage and visits possible for a larger population and provide more opportunities to stay at destinations. He also emphasized the necessity of connectivity in transport services and ease of movement between tourist attractions, stating that this issue has increasingly gained attention in tourism and transport studies.
Abadian further referred to the southern extension of Metro Line 6 and the preparation of the Hazrat Abdolazim (AS) Square station, saying that this project can facilitate access to the shrine area and the historical core of the city. He also added that the planned development of Line 11 will provide better connectivity between Rey and other areas of Tehran.
The Deputy Mayor of Tehran noted that investment in public transport should be accompanied by continuous improvement of visitation and pilgrimage services to not only increase the number of tourists but also enhance their experience quality. He said: "During occasions like Arbaeen, the role of public transport becomes more evident, and metro and bus services can make reaching the ceremony routes and returning easier."
Abadian concluded by emphasizing the need to facilitate movement and create human-centered spaces alongside tourist destinations, stating: "These factors directly impact the spiritual experience of pilgrims and tourists, and we must facilitate public presence by creating regular services and working hours that align with ceremonies."
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