Tourism Bank

Tourism Bank was first introduced in 2008 as a specialized bank for the tourism sector. It was established through a joint venture between the private sector and the Central Bank of Iran, and officially began operations in 2010. In 2019, the bank’s shares were listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "GRDZ1".

Tourism Bank provides a range of financial services, including foreign exchange facilities, issuance of bank guarantees, and opening letters of credit (LCs). The bank also offers specialized services for tourism-related businesses and works to support the growth of Iran’s tourism industry through international platforms.

Tourist Card

To promote Iran's tourism industry, the Tourism Bank has introduced a credit card called the "Tourist Card." Available to non-Iranian visitors through travel agencies, this card allows foreign tourists to load funds in their currency, converting them into the equivalent amount in Iranian rials. With the Tourist Card, travelers can make purchases in Iran without the need to carry cash.

Sanctions

In 2018, the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned Tourism Bank for its alleged involvement with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Quds Force. The bank was accused of facilitating financial transactions and providing financial support to the IRGC-QF, leading to its inclusion on the U.S. sanctions list. These sanctions were part of broader efforts to cut off access to the international financial system for entities linked to Iran's military operations.