| When you're talking about travel and tourism to Iran, you can't overlook the question of US and international sanctions imposed against Tehran as part of the ongoing dispute over its controversial nuclear program. The sanctions were never meant to target Iran's travel and tourism industries, but as VOA's Mana Rabiee reports, their effect is felt in numerous ways. When you're talking about travel and tourism to Iran, you can't overlook the question of US and international sanctions imposed against Tehran as part of the ongoing dispute over its controversial nuclear program. The sanctions were never meant to target Iran's travel and tourism industries, but their effect is felt in numerous ways. Absolute Travel in Manhattan has been sending American tourists to Iran for more than a decade, in part, says company President Ken Fish, because he was able to find a tour operator in Tehran to manage things on the Iran side. "When I selected the company that I chose to do business with, I contacted them and asked them to meet with me and on a handshake I said we're going to be doing business together. And eleven years down the road we're still doing business together," said Fish. Travel and tourism activities are officially exempt from US sanctions. But the sanctions do prevent American travel companies from sending money directly to their partners in Iran. Those wire transfers have to be cleared first through the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, which takes time and is limited to ... |
