Kish is an important Island in the Persian Gulf off the southern coast of Iran. It is part of the Bandar Lengeh County in Hormozgān Province and a popular tourist destination.

On the official Iranian solar calendar, 11 November has been named after Kish Island. The Island’s hotels and shopping centers give a 50 percent discount on this day.

Speaking at the first Kish Day ceremony, the Secretary of the High Council for Iran’s Free Trade Zones, Morteza Bank, said: “Two million tourists travel to the Island every year. Its infrastructures and airport are being developed to host eight million tourists. We are hoping this will happen within the next year and a half.”

Kish Day opened by ringing the bell of a school on the island. The day’s agenda includes the opening of a Press House, groundbreaking ceremonies of a number of projects including an amusement park, the launch of a cruise ship, and a food festival.

Iranian government is trying to use Iran’s tourism potential to generate more income following the reinstatement of US sanctions against the country. Although Iran is on the list of the top ten countries in the world for its tourism attractions, it ranked 93rd on the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index for 2017.

The UNWTO, however, reports that Iran ranks 7th in terms of attracting a growing number of tourists from 1990 to date. Today, 32.9 times more tourists come to Iran as compared to 28 years ago.