The UK Embassy's delay in issuing visas for staff of the Iranian Cultural Heritage Organization has led to the cancelation of Iran's tourism exhibit in London.

The British Embassy in Tehran failed to issue visas in a timely fashion for Iranian exhibitors hoping to attend the World Travel Market in London, which is scheduled for November 9 to 12.

The embassy gave staff shortages as the reason for failing to issue visas for the staff of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHTO) as per scheduled.

As a result, ICHTO, Iran's official representative in the tourism exhibition, canceled its pavilion for this year's event.

A few travel agencies could make it to the program on time with their previously issued visas as individual representatives.

Last year, the exhibit hosted about 50,000 travel industry professionals, representing over 200 countries. Participants in the event include the airline and cruise ship industry, media, tourism, advertising, hotel management and marketing.

The annual World Travel Market in London provides opportunities for members of the global travel industry to meet, network, negotiate, conduct business and discuss the latest developments in pertinent fields.

NAT/MTM/AKM