Restrictions on social media are hurting the tourism industry
The head of the Tourism and Related Businesses Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce said: “The plan to protect the rights of users in cyberspace disrupts the communication between tourists and tour operators in the process of marketing and selling tourism products, worries foreign tourists to travel to Iran and damage the tourism industry.” It becomes.
According to the IRNA cultural group, the plan to protect the rights of users and basic services of cyberspace is one of the most controversial plans in recent years in Iran, which is currently being considered in the 11th parliament, and of course has faced widespread reactions from users, officials and even some members of parliament. .
Determining the terms and conditions of the activities of foreign messengers is one of the most important chapters of this plan, which is the main concern of the society because the representatives have specified it in the second article of this plan; The activity of effective foreign and domestic media will be subject to the approval of the organizing and supervisory board. Otherwise, their activities in the country are illegal, and the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology is obliged to block their access.
The plan has raised concerns for small and start-up businesses, especially service businesses such as the tourism industry, which use cyberspace to advertise, market and attract tourists. They have informed the members of the Islamic Consultative Assembly through trade union and media authorities.
Tourism activists are calling for parliament to reconsider the process of approving the conservation plan
Ali Akbar Abdolmaleki, in an interview with IRNA cultural correspondent, said about the effects of the so-called plan to protect the rights of users in cyberspace on the tourism industry: This plan will cause great damage to the tourism sector and related businesses.
The head of the Tourism Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, referring to the concerns of tourism activists about the plan to protect the rights of users in cyberspace, added: “We held several meetings with experts, activists and experts in the field of tourism and received their opinions. The process of approving this plan is in the Islamic Consultative Assembly; Most activists and business owners in this field believe that the implementation of this plan, in addition to economic and social damage, will create a sense of insecurity for foreign tourists in Iran.
Abdul Maleki stated that non-native social networks have now become the main means of communication for the people of the world, adding that the cut-off of access to social networks, messengers and cyberspace systems has disrupted the communication of tourists and tour operators in the process of marketing and selling tourism products before It also travels and increases the anxiety of foreign tourists to visit Iran.
Referring to the concerns of e-tourism activists, the head of the Tourism Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce explained: Disruptions and restrictions on social networks and cyberspace also lead to the loss of investments, especially in the e-tourism sector, small tourism businesses, manufacturers and distributors of handicraft products and ecotourism in local and rural communities.
The protection plan is detrimental to businesses in the tourism industry
Abdolmaleki added: “Implementing the plan to protect users to business and income of a large number of activists and producers of local food and souvenirs, tourist guides and many groups that introduce new events and culture, customs and destinations of Iran on social networks – which They are also one of the main components of the tourism industry – they cause serious damage.
The head of the Tourism Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, referring to the concerns of tourism industry and international trade activists about the implementation of the user protection plan, said: The reduction of employment and the destruction of the motivation and potential of the country’s young force, which in turn, creates public dissatisfaction and, ultimately, the wave of migration of the country’s specialized and young force.
Social networks have played a major role in attracting foreign tourists to Iran in recent years, and this impact is growing year by year, as sanctions and the corona have bankrupted the tourism industry and are now in dire need of publicity and the introduction of capacities. We are Iran’s tourism and attracting foreign tourists to Pasakroon, disrupting social networks and cyberspace systems will make these damages deeper and more irreparable.
The main burden of tourism advertising is on social networks / do not limit opportunities
Abdolmaleki said: “It can not be denied that the main burden of information, advertising and marketing of tourist destinations, whether in domestic tourism or attracting foreign tourists, is on the shoulders of social networks, and now these systems have become a reference for many domestic and foreign tourists to choose a destination in Iran.” Restricting these networks in these circumstances will definitely reduce the loading and production of content in them, and in practice, much less information about the beauties of nature and the attractions of Iran’s history and culture reaches domestic and foreign tourists.
He said: “This kind of introduction of Iran’s attractions and capabilities in recent years has been the best way to deal with negative news against Iran; The volume of news that made the Iranian atmosphere insecure, full of famine, hunger and conflict, with the production of content that the Iranian people themselves did about the beauties of our country, was the most effective and credible and the antidote to this negative propaganda.
The head of the Tourism Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce called the restriction of social networks in the past years ineffective and ineffective and said: “Those measures deprived us of the limited opportunities provided by these networks and practically deprived us of the opportunity to introduce Iran in this social network.” .
Abdolmaleki emphasized: “Currently, the implementation of the plan to protect cyberspace users and close the access of domestic users to other existing social networks, will definitely disrupt the process of producing content from Iran’s attractions and pave the way for negative foreign propaganda against Iran.” he does.
Emphasis on teaching cyberspace culture and promoting media literacy
The head of the Tourism Commission of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce emphasized on education and culture and the promotion of media literacy in society and said: “Of course, the disadvantages of cyberspace for adolescents should not be ignored, which also requires culture and proper training in how to use the Internet and cyberspace. All age groups, especially teenagers and students and even families.
Abdul Maleki added: “Every technology and tool has advantages and disadvantages. It is important to be taught the culture and the correct way to use it. It is not possible to deny the benefits such as fire or heating tools under the pretext of risks and not use it, but based on experience.” And education should take advantage of its positive benefits and warn users of its dangers and harms.