By Afshin Majlesi

Reviving roots: a new chapter in Iran’s rural tourism

KERMAN - On May 21, the first-ever national celebration of ecolodges brought together some 600 ecolodge managers, travel insiders, and media personnel from across the country.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran holds first national celebration of ecolodges to promote sustainable tourism

KERMAN — The city of Kerman hosted Iran’s first-ever National Celebration of Ecolodges on May 21 (Ordibehesht 31), highlighting the country's growing commitment to sustainable and community-based tourism.

Kerman is to host major eco-tourism gathering

TEHRAN—Kerman, as a land full of natural and historical attractions in the south of Iran, is to host a major eco-tourism gathering on May 21 (Ordibehesht 31 in the Persian calandar), bringing together hundreds of eco-lodge managers, government officials, and international representatives to celebrate and promote sustainable tourism.

Iran to host largest eco-tourism gathering in May

TEHRAN - Iran is set to host its largest eco-tourism gathering on May 21 (“Ordibehesht 31”), bringing together hundreds of eco-lodge managers, government officials, and international representatives to celebrate and promote sustainable tourism.

550 new accommodation centers under construction across Iran

TEHRAN - Jamshid Hamzehzadeh, the head of Iran’s Hotel Association, has announced that 550 accommodation centers, including one- to five-star hotels, boutique hotels, and eco-lodges, are currently under construction across the country.

South Khorasan to host seminar on eco-lodges 

TEHRAN - South Khorasan will host a national scientific and practical seminar on eco-lodges in mid-fall, bringing together hundreds of industry insiders from across Iran, according to a local tourism official.

Ecotourism thrives in Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad

TEHRAN - Over 11,000 visitors have stayed in the rural accommodations of Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad so far this year, showcasing the province’s rising popularity in ecotourism.

Potential houses to become eco-lodges in Ramsar

TEHRAN – A number of traditional houses, suitable for conversion into eco-lodges have been singled out across the county, said a local official in charge of cultural heritage.

Hundreds of tourists settle in Damghan’s ecolodges during spring

TEHRAN – Damghan county ecolodges have played hostess to hundreds of domestic and overseas tourists since the very first day of this Persian year (started on March 20).

Qazvin upgrades services for summer guests

TEHRAN - Qazvin province is gearing up for a busy summer season, offering hundreds of beds across various accommodation facilities.

Last day of second Persian month registers as Ecotourism Day

TEHRAN – Aimed at recognizing a vibrant branch of the tourism industry, the very last day of Ordibehesht, (coinciding with May, 21), has been named as National Ecotourism Day.

480K overnight stays recorded in Golestan in Q1

TEHRAN – Hundreds of thousands of overnight stays has been recorded in Golestan province during the first quarter of this Persian year (started on March 20), highlighting the region’s growing appeal among travelers.

Kermanshah welcomes ecotourism fellows from across Iran

TEHRAN - A seminar on rural lodges and ecotourism in Iran’s Kermanshah, on Sunday, saw the participation of over 250 ecotourism-related groups, sharing experiences, each representing a region of the country.

Esfahak receives inbound tourists with open arms

TEHRAN – A team, consisting of tourists hailing from different countries, toured Iran’s Esfahak village, immersing themselves in rural tranquility.

Fam tour to promote eco-lodges in Fars province

TEHRAN – A familiarization tour has been planned to improve the status of eco-lodges in Fars province.

Eco-lodges in Markazi province welcomed by vacationers

TEHRAN – Staying at eco-lodge units has been welcomed by many domestic and overseas vacationers visiting Iran’s Markazi province.

Lesser-known villages added to Qazvin’s tourism circuit

TEHRAN – Qazvin’s tourism directorate has introduced a selection of 22 rural villages as its emerging destinations for rural tourism across the west-central Iranian province.

First boutique hotel in Sistan-Baluchestan to make debut

TEHRAN—The first boutique hotel in Sistan-Baluchestan is getting ready to be inaugurated in the southeastern Iranian province.

50 Alborz villages selected for rural tourism

TEHRAN – Iran’s Alborz province, which is situated 10 km west of Tehran, has selected 50 of its villages to become new destinations for rural tourism.

Over 2,500 tourism projects worth $7.2 billion underway across Iran

TEHRAN – More than 2,500 tourism projects worth more than 3.600 trillion rials (some $7.2 billion) are currently underway across Iran, a tourism official said on Tuesday.

Ardabil registers over half a million overnight stays

TEHRAN – Ardabil has recorded over half a million overnight stays, largely by domestic travelers, from the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 20) to July 8, the provincial tourism chief has said.

Qom to construct more ecolodge units to buttress tourism

TEHRAN – The tourism chief of Qom province has pledged support for the construction of new ecolodge units as a tool to encourage rural tourism.

Tourism minister says government supports ecotourism projects

TEHRAN – Iran’s government is supportive of ecotourism projects, the tourism minister said on Monday.

3,400 ecolodge units ready to host Noruz travelers

TEHRAN – A total of 3,400 authorized ecolodge units are ready to host travelers during the Noruz holidays, which officially starts on March 21, a tourism official has said.

Eco-lodges pillar of rural tourism in Kermanshah province

TEHRAN - Eco-lodges, as wallet-friendly accommodations, are rapidly gaining popularity for sightseers in Kermanshah province, western Iran.

Golestan province pledges support for ecolodge units around Great Wall

TEHRAN—The tourism chief of Golestan province has said his directorate fully supports efforts to promote ecolodges situated in villages around the Great Wall of Gorgan.

Gilan province registers 17 million overnight stays

TEHRAN–The northern Gilan province has recorded some 17 million overnight stays, mainly by domestic travelers, in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21-August 22), a provincial official announced.

Mazandaran registers eight million overnight stays

TEHRAN - Holidaymakers have made some eight million overnight stays in hotels and guest houses of the touristic Mazandaran province during the first three weeks of the summer.