Hamedan to host UNESCO transnational nomination of Silk Roads meeting

TEHRAN – Iran’s ancient city of Hamedan will host the 6th meeting of the Coordinating Committee on the Serial Transnational World Heritage Nomination of the Silk Roads from September 23 to 26.

War tourism to be expanded in Khorramshahr

TEHRAN – War tourism, a kind of recreational travel to active or former war zones for purposes of sightseeing or historical study, is intended to be expanded in the city of Khorramshahr, a symbol of resistance during the 1980–1988 war against Iraqi invaders.

Iran, Austria seek to expand tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iranian and Austrian officials on Wednesday discussed ways to expand tourism ties through promoting sustainable ecotourism and holding a joint symposium in this regard.

New round of restoration starts on 14th-century educational complex

TEHRAN – The third round of restoration work has recently commenced on Rab’-e Rashidi, a 14th-century educational complex in East Azarbaijan province, northwest Iran.

Iran maintains visa waiver program for Omani nationals

TEHRAN – The cabinet of ministers on Wednesday approved to maintain a visa waiver program for Omani nationals which had been ratified last September for a one-year period.

UNWTO picks new affiliate members from Iran

TEHRAN – The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has recently elected five affiliate members from Iran.

Relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu found in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeological relics relating to Kingdom of Urartu (860 BC – 590 BC) has recently been found in Anaqizli mount, Chaypareh county, northwest Iran.

A walk in Iran’s first modern university

TEHRAN - Photos depict Dar ul-Funun, a mid-19th century scholastic center in downtown Tehran, which marks the start of modern education in Iran.

20 attractions you must see in Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has proved to be an amazing destination for cultural travelers who bring only themselves and their desires to become part of the culture they visit, a type of journey that salutes to transformation in way of life.

ICOMOS to assess Iran’s cross-country railways for UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – A team of experts from the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is scheduled to visit Iran late September in order to assess Iran’s cross-country railways for a possible UNESCO registration.

Visit mysterious Katale-Khor in western Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has many caves, some of which are unique and special. Situated in Zanjan province, Katale-Khor cave offers its visitors breathtaking scenes of natural crystals and rock formation.

Iran ranks 1st globally as a pocket-friendly destination: WEF

TEHRAN – The World Economic Forum (WEF) has ranked Iran first in the world as a pocket-friendly destination.

Irish travel agencies on fam tour across Iran

TEHRAN – A delegation comprising representatives of renowned Irish travel agencies and media outlets have commenced a ten-day familiarization tour across Iran with the aim of getting acquainted with its potential in terms of medical tourism, tourist destinations, natural landscapes, local people and their traditions.

Iran’s ‘biggest’ eco-lodge inaugurated

TEHRAN – An eco-lodge complex, covering 2,500 square meters in area, has recently been inaugurated in the village of Baqerabad, Bafq county, central Yazd province.

Azna snow tunnel added to national heritage list

TEHRAN – Iran has added Azna snow tunnel, which is one of the most spectacular landscapes in western Lorestan province, to its national heritage list, ILNA reported on Thursday.

Muharram rituals capture attention of foreigners

TEHRAN – Iran turns to a major tourism hub during the mourning month of Muharram. Every year thousands of foreigners flock to the country to see with their naked eyes and record with cameras the Iranian fervor during Muharram that reaches its climax on its 10th day, also known as Ashura.

By Afshin Majlesi

A unique experience in life: Traveling to Iran during Muharram

TEHRAN – A unique time for visiting Iran is during the first ten days of the lunar month of Muharram, which falls from Sept. 1 to 10 this year. That’s because Iranians, who are mostly Shia Muslims, hold special ceremonies during this time. For Shia Muslims, Muharram is a turning point in the history of Islam.

Iran eyes to gain a UNESCO tag for its “Martian Mountains”

TEHRAN – Iran is planning on developing a dossier for its “Martian Mountains”, commonly known as “Miniature Mountains”, for a possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

UNWTO chief congratulates Mounesan on becoming tourism minister

TEHRAN – United Nations World Tourism Organization Secretary General Zurab Pololikashvili in a letter on Thursday congratulated Ali-Asghar Mounesan on becoming Iran’s tourism minister.

Millennia-old bas-relief found in western Iran

TEHRAN – A bas-relief, estimated to date from over 3,000 years ago, has recently been discovered in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

Shahr-e Kord to host exhibit of tourism, handicrafts

TEHRAN – Tens of craftspeople and tour operators from all over the country are scheduled to partake in a major sales exhibition, which will be running from September 30 to October 4 in Shahr-e Kord, the capital city of western Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province.

Iranian caravansaries being assessed for collective UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Iran is developing a dossier for a select of its historical caravansaries for a possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Ground broken for handicrafts marketplace in eastern Iran

TEHRAN - Construction of a permanent handicrafts marketplace officially began on Wednesday with a ground-breaking ceremony in the city of Sarbisheh, South Khorasan province, eastern Iran.

22% rise in visits to historical, recreational sites in West Azarbaijan

TEHRAN – Visits to historical and recreational sites in West Azarbaijan province rose 22 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

By Afshin Majlesi

It’s time to rid Iran’s millennium-old brick tower of weeds

TEHRAN – It’s quite natural that weeds spread almost everywhere in a mild and humid climate; they grow, whether we like it or not!

“Iran, Cradle of Civilization” attracts over 100,000 visitors

TEHRAN – More than 100,000 visitors from Spain and other countries visited “Iran, Cradle of Civilization”, an exhibition of ancient relics, which was on loan from the National Museum of Iran at the Archeological Museum of Alicante (MARQ) in southeastern Spain.

Qatari nationals can obtain visas upon arrival in Iran: report

TEHRAN – Doha has announced that Qatari nationals who are willing to visit Iran can obtain visas upon arrival in the country.

Tourism festival to turn spotlight on Iran’s coastal provinces

TEHRAN – Chabahar will be hosting a major tourism festival in November. The ten-day event is intended to turn the spotlight on coastal provinces of Iran.

Dutch archaeology show in Tehran wraps up

TEHRAN – A significant exhibition of arts and archaeological objects, which was on loan from the Drents Museum, has come to an end at the National Museum of Iran, CHTN reported on Sunday.

47 pre-Islamic gold plaques seized from smugglers

TEHRAN – Iranian authorities have seized 47 pieces of gold plaques dating back to pre-Islamic era, which were kept unlawfully by smugglers in Zanjan, western Iran.