Turning Soheili’s Global Recognition into National Revenue

The placement of Soheili Village on the global stage is more than a badge of honor for Qeshm’s tourism and the country—it is a major call for economic transformation. Now that international attention has been drawn to this corner of Iran, we must move beyond traditional approaches and strengthen core infrastructure to leverage this global credibility for foreign currency generation and the export of culture and services. International opportunities do not wait for our bureaucratic reforms.

As one walks among the unique attractions of Soheili Village, the first question that arises is how this beauty and authenticity can be transformed into a sustainable economic flow. The reality is that Soheili has now become a reputable brand, and in today’s world, brands are powerful tools for economic strength and foreign exchange earnings.

Seyed Mohammad Bathaei, Deputy Minister of Interior, during his recent visit to the village, rightly emphasized that Soheili is not merely a cultural asset but also a valuable opportunity for developing non-oil exports. These remarks indicate that, at the policymaking level, the shift toward a tourism- and handicraft-based economy is well understood. However, the time has come to move beyond praise and emphasis and focus on how to extract more tangible benefits for the people and the country from this potential.

Soheili: A Valuable Opportunity for Foreign Exchange and Non-Oil Export Development

Appreciating this opportunity cannot be achieved merely by putting up banners and offering congratulations. If we truly want foreign currency inflows from Soheili to become a reality, we must acknowledge that current infrastructure requires serious review. We cannot expect foreign investors or international tourists to engage in an environment that still faces intermittent challenges in essential services such as a stable water network and sewage systems.

The truth is that Soheili’s global credibility is like a trust placed in our hands. If infrastructure does not grow in parallel with this reputation, we will effectively lose this golden opportunity to attract foreign currency and create sustainable employment.

One of the serious issues in the region is the intense heat that affects more than half the year. But for anyone seeking to generate wealth from this village, the heat should not be a dead end.

A practical and intelligent solution under current conditions is to invest in a night-time ecosystem while preserving social and cultural values. By using traditional windcatcher architecture—symbols of Iranian engineering—combined with simple cooling technologies, we can create spaces that welcome visitors even during the summer.

Establishing nighttime handicraft markets, floating restaurants with high hygiene standards, and night tours through the Hara forests—while fully observing environmental requirements—can transform Soheili into a village that never sleeps. This means keeping the foreign-exchange cycle active even during months traditionally considered off-season for tourism.

The Need to Facilitate Handicraft Exports through Soheili

On the other hand, the export pathway for Soheili’s products must be streamlined. When the Deputy Minister highlights the village’s handicraft capabilities as an economic opportunity, it means we must shorten the production-to-consumption chain. Establishing a small, specialized export terminal in the region or easing customs regulations for products bearing the Soheili label could multiply the motivation of local producers.

Under sanctions, this is the best form of trade: exporting art and experience instead of oil—commodities that are neither easily sanctionable nor dependent on heavy import infrastructure.

In conclusion, we must remember that an opportunity like Soheili is not permanent. Every official emphasizes the importance of this region, but now is the time to translate these statements into tangible development and economic projects.

Soheili possesses all the necessary tools to become one of the main hubs of non-oil exports—provided that, just as we appreciate it in words, we also invest in improving the quality of life there and strengthening its infrastructure in practice.