TEHRAN—Kordestan is an area with ancient history and culture, breathtaking nature and hospitable people. It is a province which boasts soaring mountains, terraced villages, authentic Kordish music, and lasting handicrafts. It has an unparalleled capacity to attract domestic and foreign tourists.

This province with diverse national and historical attractions is considered one of the important tourism destinations in west of Iran, ISNA wrote.

Experience has shown that whenever conditions are favorable, the province’s accommodations are filled with visitors eager to explore its cultural and natural sites.

Conversely, any crisis or deficiency in transportation and welfare services has led to a significant decline in tourism.

On one hand, statistics provided by officials of Kordestan Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department indicate a significant increase in travel this year. On the other hand, limited accommodation capacity and issues such as flight restrictions remain obstacles to tourism development in the region.

These figures clearly show that Kordestan requires investment in tourism and cooperation among all relevant agencies to achieve its rightful place on both national and international stages.

Deputy Head of Kordestan Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Department Teymour Khaledi noted a 20-percent increase in tourist arrivals before 12-day war of Israel against Iran. Currently, the province hosts 31 hotels, 21 guesthouses, 51 eco-lodges, five traditional accommodations, one boutique hotel, and four hotel-apartment, offering a total capacity of over 7,000 overnight stays.

He stated that from the beginning of the year until the outbreak of the 12-day conflict, Kordestan saw over 20-percent growth in tourism, with full occupancy in accommodations. Unfortunately, the onset of the conflict drastically reduced tourist numbers, at times to zero, as safety remains the most critical factor in choosing a travel destination.

Khaledi added that in recent weeks, recovery has begun, with some accommodations fully booked. Efforts have included producing over 40 promotional clips and teasers, publishing content on social media, and distributing more than 150,000 promotional items such as maps, brochures, and CDs to reactivate tourism, he pointed out.

He emphasized the role of local residents in promoting attractions, noting that many villagers, eco-lodge owners, and hoteliers independently advertise on social media, significantly contributing to the province’s visibility.

Khaledi reiterated the current accommodation capacity and urged tourists to use only licensed agencies and official centers to ensure safety and quality services.

He stressed that tourism development is a cross-sectoral endeavor, not solely the responsibility of the Cultural Heritage Department. All agencies must participate, as poor roads, inadequate emergency services, or any incident can have a broad negative impact on tourism, he said. He expressed hope for sustainable growth through collective efforts.

Also, Golan Farzami, a local cultural heritage official, stated that the province has 1,260 registered historical, cultural, and tourism sites. In the last 15 days of Iranian month of Shahrivar alone, over 3,400 domestic and international tourists visited Kordestan’s attractions, he added. 

Farzami emphasized that Kordestan, with its rich collection of registered sites, is a key tourism hub in western Iran. Since the beginning of the year, 27,699 cultural tourists have visited the province, along with 195,342 visitors to general attractions and 18,049 to historical buildings and museums.

In the last 15 days of Shahrivar, 3,441 visits were recorded, including 2,829 domestic and 612 international tourists.

He highlighted the global recognition of some of Kordestan’s historical sites, noting that Uramanat has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The province also holds a special place in music and handicrafts, with Sanandaj recognized as Iran’s Creative City of Music.

Farzami stated that 122 accommodation centers, including hotels and eco-lodges, are currently active in the province, but this capacity is insufficient for the high volume of travelers. Expanding accommodation infrastructure is essential, he added.

KD