TEHRAN – A total of five tourism-related projects are scheduled to be inaugurated in southern Hormozgan province, provincial tourism chief has said.

An eco-lodge unit in Hormoz Island, as well as two traditional restaurants and an accommodation center in the provincial capital of Bandar Abbas, will come on stream, Reza Borumand said on Tuesday, CHTN reported.

Ahmad Khan Caravanserai in the city of Bastak will also be repurposed into a traditional restaurant and residence, the official added.

A budget of 200 billion rials (about $4.7 million) has been allocated to the projects, which will generate over 90 job opportunities for the locals, he noted.

Known as the province of islands, Hormozgan province is located on the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf. It embraces scenic islands among which Kish, Hormuz, Hengam, and Qeshm are the most beautiful ones and top tourist destinations in southern Iran.

Over the past couple of decades, the coral Kish Island has become a beach resort where visitors can swim, shop, and sample a laid-back and relatively liberated local lifestyle. It is home to free-trade-zone status, with ever-growing hotels, shopping centers, apartment blocks, and retail complexes.

Hormuz, which is mostly barren and hilly, is situated some eight kilometers off the coast on the Strait of Hormuz, which attracts many tourists by its colorful mountains, silver sand shores, and great local people.

Hengam Island has scenery rocky shores, serene sunset, and kind natives, which can attract travelers who enjoy a relaxing trip by spending time on this tranquil island.

Qeshm Island is a heaven for eco-tourists as it embraces wide-ranging attractions such as the Hara marine forests and about 60 villages dotted mostly across its rocky coastlines. The island also features geologically eye-catching canyons, hills, caves, and valleys, most of which are protected as part of the UNESCO-tagged Qeshm Island Geopark, itself a haven for nature-lovers.

ABU/MG