TEHRAN--Qom province, with more than 8,000 years of civilization and cultural and historical attractions, is entering a new stage of cultural heritage, tourism and handicraft development, along with a significant increase in credits and the implementation of extensive projects in the field of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts.

Behzad Ahmadi-Farsani, head of Qom  Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department  told  ILNA on Wednesday that the province's national credits have increased and provincial acquisition credits have also tripled. 

The budget increase is the biggest opportunity in recent years to develop infrastructure, museums, exemplary tourism areas and support the handicrafts, he added.

Ahmadi-Farsani emphasized that major measures have been initiated in the past five months that had not been implemented in the past 20 years, and currently, the main focus is on the preservation and restoration of historical monuments, national registration of monuments and the development of tourism infrastructure.

He added: “Qom province needs precise planning and implementation of comprehensive plans due to its pilgrimage and tourism capacities. The comprehensive tourism plan for Qom province is being developed at the University of Isfahan, and after 6 to 7 months, we will have a clear path for the development of the province.”

The official announced that the first serious action of Qom Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department is to develop and review the comprehensive tourism plan for Qom province. “This initiative will help us plan based on the territorial planning and various capacities of the province and create cooperation between the fields of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts.”

Ahmadi-Farsani stated that one of the main challenges of Qom province is the lack of a suitable museum and administrative building, and said that about 11,000 historical objects in the province were kept in a repository and there was no museum to display them. “With the efforts of Minister of Cultural Heritage, a three-story building next to the holy shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (SA) was purchased and is being renovated. Our prediction is that the museum will be opened by May.”

He added: “We are also negotiating with the municipality to receive a 6,500-meter land for construction of the general administration building and handicraft market, which will be implemented if the ministry approves.”

Ahmadi-Farsani announced the implementation of the province’s largest tourism project and said that a sample tourism area has been defined next to the Tehran-Qom Freeway Toll Booth.

“Of the 100 hectares of land, 30 hectares have been allocated for a sample tourism area and another 70 hectares for the creation of tourism facilities including health tourism, hotels, pilgrimage centers, horse riding, aquariums and rally.”

Regarding the content production and promotion of the province's historical attractions, he said that  Qom has very high capacities compared to other historical provinces. “Deyr-e Gachin caravanserai , Safavid caravanserais and two exemplary tourism areas of the province are among the unique attractions.

Two weeks ago, famous bloggers with about 40 million followers were invited to visit these attractions and produce content.”

He emphasized  that  the goal is to attract domestic and foreign tourists by introducing and promoting the attractions and facilitate investment in the field of tourism.

Regarding the exploration and protection of historical sites in the province, he said: “The 8,000-year-old Qoli Darvish Hill, the 5,000-year-old Khavar Hill, and the 2,000- to 3,000-year-old Sarv Hill are being explored. Some of the sites are owned by the Endowment  Organization, and a memorandum of understanding has been signed with Governor-General's Office and the Endowment Organization to acquire and use these lands to create archaeological museums and display  the historical layers.”

He added: “Credits have been allocated for the Qoli Dervish Hill and excavations have begun to discover the lower layers of the site and expose them to public display. Also, for the first time, a focus has been placed on the province's celebrities and their burials, such as Parvin Etesami and Dr. Gharib, to introduce cultural identity.”

“Qom has a productive architectural style and its artists are unique. Preserving and introducing these styles are among our important priorities. Timche Farsh (carpet timcheh), as one of the largest three-arch timchehs in the country and even the Middle East, needs restoration, and the participation of the owners is essential to preserve this heritage.”

In conclusion, he pointed out that the Nowruz trips are approaching and pointed to the Nowruz programs and cultural events of Qom province in Nowruz 1405 (March 2026) and said: “With the slogan of ‘national identity - religious identity’, carnivals will move through the passages and streets of the province, and Nowruzgah sites  will be held in historical textures and caravanserais. These programs are part of a year-long plan to boost the province's tourism, culture, and heritage.”

KD