
32 years have passed and the travel currency was removed for the umpteenth time with a government or exchange rate. The central bank announced that travelers are not allowed to pay travel currency at the exchange rate, and those who intend to leave the country with passports and tickets can go to banks and receive currency at a free rate. In this circular, the pilgrims of Karbala Ma’ali are separated for the Arbaeen procession and can receive 200 dollars of currency at the exchange rate by presenting a valid passport.
In the last 40 years, many changes have taken place regarding the way of providing currency in different governments; But the release of travel currency is only a very small part of the country’s billions of dollars in foreign currency spending.
Foreign exchange market expert Maisham Radpour said in a conversation with “Iran” that giving travel currency is like giving subsidies to the tourism industry of countries targeted by Iranians. If this subsidy was allocated to the lower deciles of the society, it can be defended, but when most of those who travel abroad are from the upper deciles of the society, this issue becomes a rent.
The effect of removing travel currency on exchange rate and inflation
A member of the Board of Representatives of the Iranian Chamber of Commerce, Seyed Razi Haji Aghamiri, believes that if the travel currency is removed, the price of the currency will rise. He says: Finally, the government thinks that the currency it has and which is spent in the country’s economy by travelers and importers is limited; Therefore, he decides to prevent it in places such as the supply of travel currency. This directive is issued for any reason, it is effective in the market and the price of the currency increases.