Ardebil, Nov 19, IRNA - Some 2,200,000 foreign tourists visited Iran in 2007, said head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization in Ardebil on Wednesday.

Addressing a ceremony to inaugurate nine guest houses in Ardebil province, Esfandiar Rahim-Mashaei further added that the figure for 2004 was 1,800,000.

Iran's numerous tourism potentials as well as natural and historical attractions makes it a distinguished country in the world, he said, deploring that they have not been used as properly as they should.

"Ardebil province which boasts of unique sceneries has suitable capacities for investment in the field of tourism," he noted.

Its winter and cold weather also have beautiful manifestations, which can be used for attracting tourists, he said.

Mashaei went on to say that the existence of suitable roads and transportation facilities in the cold seasons are one of the main requirements of the sector.

Effective measures have been taken in the field in the country, especially in Ardebil, he noted.

Meanwhile, Ardebil province Governor General Ali Nikzad said that unlike some negative propaganda, the ninth government seriously supports investment in the country, especially in the field of tourism.

Due to its natural manifestations, pleasant climate and historical monuments, it is among top five provinces in filed of tourism in Iran.