By Sahar Bhti, SYI Facebook Group Member
To clarify, I am ALL for traveling with any budget and being as hospitable as possible towards all. The below is just my attempt at shedding some light on one of the reasons SOME Iranians -also in this page – are not very keen on hosting tourists for FREE.
Time and time again I see posts or comments from angry or annoyed Iranians regarding ‘free services’ and ‘too much hospitality’and how things shouldn’t cost next to nothing and if someone is traveling they should be able to spend some money. The counter-argument we have all read in many posts and I agree – anyone with any budget should be able to travel and ppl should open their homes and arms to tourists and travellers.
One point I’d like to make though that you as a non-Iranian might not know is no Iranian can get a visa to visit your country without showing their booked hotel accommodation, the specific reason for their visit (if traveling as a tourist with no friends or family to send them an official visa invitation, then a preareanged tour with an agency) and lots of money!
They need to show their bank accounts and prove they have sufficient funds. I think one thing that makes Iranians mad is the injustice in this; why should foreigners come surf for free when they cannot have the same privilege? Travel should be free for all
Read more in See You in Iran facebook group
