Qeshm Island, where eco-lodges help foster community growth and sustainable tourism

TEHRAN – Home to 149 guesthouses and eco-lodges, Qeshm Island--southern Iran’s crown jewel in the Persian Gulf--is emerging as a model for community-based and sustainable tourism.

Mazandaran hotels receive Iran Green Hotel Award

TEHRAN – Two hotels in Mazandaran province have been awarded the Iran Green Hotel Award as part of the country’s first national event recognizing environmentally sustainable accommodation, provincial officials said on Sunday.

55 Iranian hotels nominated for Green Label Award

TEHRAN— A total of 55 hotels from 15 provinces and one from Kish Free Zone will compete in the first round of awarding the Green Label for Iranian Hotels, Mohammad Jahanshahi, the Secretary of the National Committee for Nature Tourism, has said.

400 events planned for Iran’s Tourism Week

TEHRAN – Concurrent with the start of Tourism Week, 400 festivals and special events focusing on tourism and sustainable development will be held across Iran from September 27 to October 3, Mostafa Fatemi, director-general of the Domestic Tourism Development Office, said.

By Katayoon Dashti

World’s largest hand-made cave, an unknown heritage in Fars province

Sang Shekanan (stonemasons) cave in the south of Jahrom, Fars province, has been dubbed the largest hand-made cave in the world, but many people in Iran and even Fars have not yet heard of it, and it has few visitors.

Iran's green hotels receive national awards

TEHRAN--The first round of awarding the Green Label for Iranian Hotels is being held with the aim of promoting a sustainable approach in tourism businesses, said Mohammad Jahanshahi, an official with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts.

Sarein to become smart tourism city, governor-general says

TEHRAN — Sarein in Ardabil province should be developed into a smart tourism and health tourism city, with accommodation facilities, hotels, and eco-tourism services upgraded to international standards, the provincial governor-general Masoud Emami-Yeganeh said.

Over 4.4 million visit Mashhad for major religious event

TEHRAN - Mashhad, the capital of Iran’s northeastern Khorasan Razavi province and home to the shrine of Imam Reza (A.S.), has hosted more than 4.4 million visitors over a nine-day period that marked one of the largest religious gatherings of the year.

By Afshin Majlesi

Cultural heritage is a voice against hostile narratives, Iran tourism minister says

TEHRAN – In a press conference held on Tuesday afternoon, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, along with his deputies, addressed the ministry’s role in shaping cultural resilience during the recent 12-day conflict with Israel.

Mazandaran announces tourism discounts for war-affected citizens

TEHRAN – Mazandaran’s governor-general, Mehdi Younesi-Rostami, has announced that tourism and hospitality centers across the northern province are offering special discounts ranging from 10 to 50 percent for citizens affected by the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel.

By Afshin Majlesi

Reviving roots: a new chapter in Iran’s rural tourism

KERMAN - On May 21, the first-ever national celebration of ecolodges brought together some 600 ecolodge managers, travel insiders, and media personnel from across the country.

Deputy tourism minister urges visiting tour operators to share Iran’s clean image

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, has called on international tour operators to mirror a clear image of Iran to the world, highlighting the country’s hospitality, safety, and cultural richness.

Visits to Iran’s historical sites soar 28 percent y/y during Nowruz holidays

TEHRAN - During the two-week Nowruz holidays, which officially began on March 20, visitor numbers to Iran’s cultural heritage sites, museums, and historical landmarks saw a remarkable 28% year-on-year increase.

Minister underlines job creation at opening of 5-star hotel in northern Iran

TEHRAN – Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Seyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has announced that a private sector investment of $150 million in a newly built five-star hotel in Nowshahr has led to the creation of 900 jobs in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. 

Global tour operators explore Isfahan Healthcare City

ISFAHAN - On the second day of their visit to Isfahan, a group of 100 tour operators from 25 countries explored various sections of the Isfahan Healthcare City, including its state-of-the-art dental facilities and advanced nuclear medicine department.

Three tourism projects inaugurated during minister’s visit to Khuzestan

TEHRAN - Three tourism-related projects were inaugurated in Khuzestan during a visit by the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi Amiri to the southwestern province.

Minister underlines marine tourism, soft power and global ties

TEHRAN - In a televised interview on Monday evening, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism, shared insights into the nation’s tourism strategy, highlighting recent achievements and ambitious goals for the future.

24 tourism projects planned in Hormozgan with $4 million investment

TEHRAN – Hormozgan’s tourism directorate has approved 24 projects to be developed across the southern Iranian province, backed by an estimated investment of about $4 million.

Qazvin sees 13% rise in tourist visits in H1

TEHRAN - Qazvin province has experienced a 13 percent increase in the number of visits to its tourist attractions during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 20), compared to the same period last year.

550 new accommodation centers under construction across Iran

TEHRAN - Jamshid Hamzehzadeh, the head of Iran’s Hotel Association, has announced that 550 accommodation centers, including one- to five-star hotels, boutique hotels, and eco-lodges, are currently under construction across the country.

Sa’d al-Saltaneh: UNESCO-listed caravanserai still under restoration

TEHRAN - The second phase of a restoration project on the centuries-old Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai in Qazvin has officially begun, according to the province’s tourism chief.

Ilam province sees 60% increase in Iraqi tourists’ overnight stays

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi travelers making overnight stays in official accommodations in Ilam province has seen a 60% year-on-year increase during the first six months of the year, according to the province’s tourism chief.

Tourism capacity expansion plans formulated, minister says

TEHRAN – On Wednesday, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts announced the development of a comprehensive plan to boost the country's tourism capacity.

167 tourism projects worth $166 million inaugurated across Iran

TEHRAN – In celebration of World Tourism Day and the start of Iran’s Tourism Week, 167 tourism-related projects have officially been inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Tourism Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri.

Iran to construct gigantic tourism complex near Sea of Oman

TEHRAN - Iran is set to construct a gigantic tourism complex in Sistan-Baluchestan province, southeast of the country near the Sea of Oman.

Iran to boost tourism investment, minister says

TEHRAN – Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Reza Salehi Amiri has underlined Iran’s commitment to boost tourism investment that includes construction of 500 hotels.