Iran’s first soccer museum starts operation

TEHRAN – The first museum in Iran dedicated to soccer officially started operation in the northwestern city of Tabriz, the capital of East Azarbaijan province, IRNA reported. 

Over $117m approved to support corona-affected tourism businesses

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has approved a total budget of 4,920 billion rials (over $117 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) to support businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

New properties in Yazd registered on National Heritage list

TEHRAN- A total of 22 historical structures and sites, which are scattered across the central Iranian province of Yazd, have recently been inscribed on the National Heritage list, CHTN reported.

New properties in Khuzestan added to National Heritage List

TEHRAN – Nine historical and natural sites in the southwestern Khuzestan province have been inscribed on the National Heritage List, IRNA reported.

New properties in Isfahan inscribed on National Heritage list

TEHRAN – A total of 20 aging structures and sites, which are scattered across the central Isfahan province, have recently been inscribed on the National Heritage list, CHTN reported.

15 natural sites in Qeshm Island demarcated

TEHRAN – Fifteen natural sites in southern Qeshm Island were demarcated, CHTN quoted Mostafa Purali, a senior official with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, as saying on Thursday.

Tourism ministry to support women-headed households 

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts plans to support women-headed households who are active in the field of handicrafts through giving them grants, deputy minister Pouya Mahmoudian said on Tuesday.

Iran’s World Heritage sites to host music concerts 

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts plans to organize music concerts at the country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites as well as museums, CHTN reported on Tuesday. 

Iran ‘has earned plaudits’ to ease COVID-19 impact on tourism, UNWTO says

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization has praised efforts made by Iran's tourism ministry to manage the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran to introduce tourist attractions in 10 languages

TEHRAN – The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts will introduce the country’s tourist attractions in 10 languages for target markets by the end of July.

Museum of ceramic opens in Tehran 

TEHRAN – Farzaneh Ceramic Museum was inaugurated in Tehran on Tuesday, CHTN reported. 

By Samaneh Aboutalebi

Historical sites losing heritage status; who’s to blame?

Every year, a number of historical monuments in Iran lose their place on the National Heritage list. Some are also at risk of losing their prestigious UNESCO status.

800 historical monuments, sites to be ceded to private sector

TEHRAN – Some 800 historical monuments and sites across the country have been identified to be temporarily ceded to the private sector with the aim of higher productivity and better maintenance.

Iran raises annual tourism budget by 39%

TEHRAN- Iran’s national budget bill proposed for the current fiscal year (started March 20), has allocated 15.326 trillion rials (about $360 million at the official dollar rate of 42,000 rials) to the tourism sector, an increase of 39 percent year on year. 

Setting up national museum of anthropology is a necessity: expert

TEHRAN – Establishing a national museum of anthropology in Iran is a necessity to turn the spotlight on all people, local communities and folk cultures, director of Iran’s Anthropological Research Center, has said.

Flash floods harm historical sites, monuments across Kerman

TEHRAN – Heavy rainfalls have inflicted considerable damage to some historical sites and monuments across southeastern Kerman province.

Tehran exports $73m of handicrafts in year

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from Tehran province reached some $73 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 19), ILNA reported.

Govt. to support tourist places shut over coronavirus

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has drafted a plan to support tourist places, which have been shut down over the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Online campaign launched to protect handicrafts as virus fears hurt sales

TEHRAN – An online campaign has been launched in Iran to protect handicrafts as fears of coronavirus outbreak have left shops and stores empty countrywide.

Intl. rally completes Iran itinerary under slogans of justice and peace

TEHRAN - An estimated year-long rally called “Jai Jagat 2020”, carrying Mahatma Gandhi’s message of non-violence, justice and peace, has completed its second leg of journey across Iran before it reaches Armenia on Thursday.

Tourism ministry’s budget seen to rise by 11.8%

TEHRAN – The budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year (to start March 20, 2020) has proposed 13 trillion rials (about $310 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, an increase of 11.8 percent compared with the current year’s budget.

‘No plans to detach handicrafts department from tourism ministry’

TEHRAN – There are no plans to detach the handicrafts department from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, deputy minister for handicrafts Pouya Mahmoudian said on Tuesday.