By Afshin Majlesi

Soheili village: a model of sustainable tourism in southern Iran

QESHM ISLAND - As a journalist focused on tourism and cultural heritage, my recent journey to Soheili village, located on the sun-kissed Qeshm Island in southern Iran, felt less like a reporting mission and more like uncovering a hidden gem with astonishing potential.

By Afshin Majlesi

Minister outlines visa-free travel agreements, cultural initiatives, and infrastructure plans

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, unveiled a series of major developments in regional tourism cooperation, heritage protection, and tourism infrastructure during a press conference held on Tuesday at the ministry headquarters in Tehran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Uzbek ambassador highlights country’s expanding tourism sector in Tehran ceremony

TEHRAN – Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Iran, Fariddin Nasriev, underscored his country’s growing tourism appeal during a cultural and diplomatic gathering held Monday evening at the ambassador's residence in Tehran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran opens its first specialized college for classic car restoration

TEHRAN - In a landmark development for cultural heritage and technical education in Iran, the country’s first specialized college dedicated to the restoration of classic cars was officially inaugurated on Monday.

Ferdowsi remembered as guardian of Persian language

TEHRAN — The Iranology Foundation hosted a ceremony on Wednesday evening to mark Ferdowsi Day, gathering scholars, cultural experts, and literary enthusiasts to celebrate the enduring legacy of Persian language and literature.

By Afshin Majlesi

Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism

KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.

By Afshin Majlesi

Legend of ‘Mina and Panther’ chosen as global brand for Kandelous village

TEHRAN – The local legend of “Mina and the Panther” has been selected as a symbolic brand for Kandelous, a scenic village nestled at the foot of the Alborz Mountains of northern Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Big data aids Iran’s Nowruz travel tracking, recording over 36 million trips

TEHRAN - More than 36 million domestic trips were made across Iran during the Nowruz holidays this year, according to final statistics released at a session of the Traveling Services Coordination Headquarters, chaired by Deputy Minister of Tourism Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey on Sunday.

By Afshin Majlesi

All artifacts in Dafineh Museum Group re-organized and catalogued

TEHRAN - The Dafineh Museum Group, managed under the Mostazafan Foundation, has completed a re-organization, authentication, classification, and documentation of all its historical artifacts.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran welcomes Nowruz, a season of renewal

With the countdown to Nowruz underway, Iran is buzzing with preparations for one of the most significant and cherished celebrations in Iranian culture. Millions plan to travel across the country or beyond to historical sites, natural landscapes, and family homes, while others will remain in their hometowns to observe traditional family gatherings.

By Afshin Majlesi

New museums dedicated to automobiles, textiles, and hunting inaugurated across Iran

TEHRAN – On Saturday, Iran celebrated the opening of three new museums dedicated to automotive history, traditional textiles, and hunting culture.

By Afshin Majlesi

Day three: foreign tour operators experience the majesty of Varzaneh Desert

ISFAHAN- On Friday, after two and a half unforgettable days exploring the historical wonders of Isfahan, it was time for the 100 tour operators from 25 countries to embark on a new adventure: a journey to the captivating Varzaneh Desert.

By Afshin Majlesi

Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz showcase synergy at Tehran tourism fair

TEHRAN - For the first time, a joint pavilion representing Isfahan, Yazd, and Shiraz has been set up at the current Tehran tourism fair to highlight a synergy among these three ancient cities.

By Afshin Majlesi

Tehran tourism fair aims to counter Iranophobia, help boost economy

TEHRAN – Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey has announced that the 18th Tehran International Tourism and Related Industries Exhibition will be inaugurated by President Masoud Pezeshkian and will take place from February 11 to 14. He emphasized that strengthening tourism relations is the most effective way to counter Iranophobia.

By Afshin Majlesi

Deyr-e Gachin: the mother of Iran’s caravanserais    

TEHRAN – Situated 80 kilometers northeast of Qom, the caravanserai of Deyr-e Gachin is widely known as the “Mother of Iranian Caravanserais”. The impressive monument, strategically positioned along the historic Silk Roads and the ancient Ray-to-Qom route, now lies within the vast expanse of Kavir National Park.

By Afshin Majlesi

Yazd’s Janoub factory: from industrial powerhouse to museum of traditional textiles

YAZD - The Janoub Spinning and Weaving Factory, a 70-year-old landmark in Yazd, is set to undergo a remarkable transformation.

By Afshin Majlesi

Discover Museum of Light and Illumination in UNESCO-listed Yazd

The Museum of Light and Illunimation, located in the historic city of Yazd, stands as a cultural and architectural masterpiece.

By Afshin Majlesi

Lar: a journey through time and culture

Lar is a city where history whispers through its traditional bazaars, centuries-old caravanserais, mosques, ancient ramparts, bizarre-shaped cisterns, and above all, the warm hospitality of its residents. The city’s amalgam of new and old constructions creates a unique rhythm that makes every corner worth discovering.

By Afshin Majlesi

Christmas celebrations illuminate New Jolfa neighborhood

ISFAHAN- The New Jolfa neighborhood, one of the most picturesque and historic quarters of Isfahan, is glowing with lights and decorations in the lead-up to the New Year.

By Afshin Majlesi

Jolfa: a journey through UNESCO heritage and nature’s splendor

JOLFA, East Azarbaijan – A photographer’s paradise, the Jolfa region, settled in the northwest corner of East Azarbaijan province, is a treasure trove of natural wonders, historical landmarks, and cultural heritage.