Foreign travelers not deterred by Iranophobia: tourism official

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism minister on Monday said that anti-Iranian sentiment or Iranophobia, which has long been forged and spread by some Western governments and media, has not prevented foreign travelers from visiting the country.

Chinese arrivals on the rise in Iran

TEHRAN - The number of Chinese arrivals in Iran has increased as of late June since the country allowed visa-free entry for visitors from China, deputy tourism minister has said.

Swiss tour operators to start fam tour across Iran

TEHRAN - A group of 30 Swiss tour operators and travel agents are to commence a familiarization tour across Iran with the aim of getting acquainted with its potential in terms of travel destinations, natural landscapes, local people and their traditions.

Tehran, Bern ink MOU on tourism co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in the tourism sector, CHTN reported.

Iran’s travel balance remains positive in H1

TEHRAN – Iran’s travel balance remained positive in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), deputy tourism minister said on Monday.

Iran’s 5-month foreign tourist arrivals surge 30 percent

TEHRAN - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran surged 30 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21 – August 22), compared with the same period last year, deputy tourism minister has said.

By Afshin Majlesi

Austria shares know-how to boost sustainable tourism in Iran: envoy

TEHRAN – Vienna’s ambassador to Tehran, Stefan Scholz, said on Wednesday that Austria has launched a new partnership with Iran to promote an inclusive growth of tourism and economy.

No more ban on foreign travelers riding big motorcycles

TEHRAN - Foreign travelers with motorcycle above 250cc are now allowed to enter and ride in Iran, deputy tourism chief has said.

Tehran seminar to discuss digital marketing’s effect on tourism

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization will be hosting an educational seminar on digital marketing and its impact on buttressing tourism and hospitality industries in the country.

Tourism a top priority in Iran-ITC cooperation

Tourism industry has been selected as a top priority in cooperation between Iran and the International Trade Centre (ITC) for development of exports, Vali Teymouri, Iran’s deputy tourism chief announced on Wednesday, Mehr reported.

7200 travelers accommodated in Ilam province during spring

TEHRAN – More than 7200 travelers were accommodated in hotels, hostels and guest houses across the western Iranian province of Ilam, which is trying its best to be marked on the country’s tourism map.

Visa-free stay for Chinese travelers extended to 21 days

TEHRAN – Visa-free validity for Chinese visitors to Iran has been extended from a previously announced 15 days to 21 days, deputy tourism chief Vali Teymouri said, Mehr reported on Tuesday. 

Longstanding Sino-Iranian relations could help foster tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism chief has said that longstanding cultural and trade relations between Iran and China could lay a solid ground for developing mutual tourism ties.

Iran, Tajikistan stress expansion of tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iran and Tajikistan have recently explored avenues to enhance tourism ties after the two nations experienced decline in the number of arrivals.

Plan underway to improve accessibility for disabled travelers, locals

TEHRAN – Iran’s Welfare Organization is encouraging initiatives to make disabled tourists more comfortable on vacations and to improve the quality of life for disabled locals.

New tourism destinations should be made known: official

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy chief of tourism has suggested that lesser-known travel destinations should be properly introduced to people in order to have a balanced domestic tourism.

Dam tourism in the pipeline in Iran

TEHRAN – Dam tourism attractiveness is to be highlighted across the country based on a recent agreement between the Ministry of Energy and the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

Iran plans to form think tank for tourism

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization plans to form a think tank to jumpstart tourism sector across the ancient land, CHHTO deputy director said on Tuesday.

Iran foreign arrivals up over 16% in Noruz

TEHRAN - The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran rose 16.75 percent during Noruz (the Iranian new year holidays from March 21-April 4) compared to the same period last year, a senior tourism official has said.

‘U.S. sanctions failed to lessen foreign arrivals to Iran’

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian tourism official has said that U.S.-led sanctions, targeting Iran’s economy, has failed to lessen foreign arrivals to the Islamic Republic.

Over 74m overnight stays recorded across Iran in Noruz

TEHRAN – Iranians made over 74 million overnight stays during the two-week New Year (Noruz) holidays, starting March 21, CHTN reported.

By Afshin Majlesi

Many Indonesians want to visit Iran: envoy

TEHRAN - Jakarta ambassador to Tehran said on Tuesday that many Indonesians want to visit Iran as he encouraged Iranians to visit the world’s largest island country.

Tehran tourism exhibit to host over 700 Iranian, intl. businesses

TEHRAN – A total of 660 Iranian tourism marketers and businesses along with 57 foreign ones will participate in the 12th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, which will be running from February 12 to 15. 

U.S. arrivals in Iran up 27% in 7 months on year

TEHRAN – A total of 1,665 U.S. nationals visited Iran during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018), an increase of 27 percent year on year.

Iran attracts higher foreign tourists despite sanctions

TEHRAN – Iran hosted over five million foreign nationals during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2018), up 57 percent year on year, as the U.S. has snapped sanctions back in place to cripple Iran’s economy.

10% slump in hotels occupancy rate in Iran

TEHRAN – Average occupancy rate of Iranian hotels has tumbled by around ten percent since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21) in comparison to the same period last year, head of Iran Hotel Association has said.

Iran travel balance turns positive as inbound tourism jumps

TEHRAN – Iran’s travel balance turned positive in the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year 1397 (started March 21), a positive reading since two years ago.

Which countries do Iranians visit the most?

TEHRAN - Which countries did Iranians travel to the most during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year started on March 21?

Iraq tops Iran’s visiting tourists list

TEHRAN – Some 2 million Iraqi nationals visited Iran during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), turning the country into Iran’s largest source of tourists, ISNA reported.

 New CHHTO deputy director appointed

TEHRAN – The director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization has installed Vali Teymouri as his deputy for tourism affairs, ISNA reported on Friday.