By Hani Rastegaran

Qaleh Bala Village: a model of solidarity, creativity, and local development

TEHRAN - Qaleh Bala, a village nestled on the southern slopes of Mount Shahvar where the dry expanse of the desert blends into the wind‑shaped hills of the Kharturan buffer zone, has become one of the most remarkable examples of community‑based rural development in Iran. Its people, who have long struggled with drought, isolation, and lack of infrastructure, have relied on social cohesion and a series of small yet persistent innovations to transform what was once a depopulating settlement into a destination for community‑led ecotourism.

Hazaveh, a sweet destination for rural tourism

TEHRAN--Hazaveh village in Arak, Markazi province, is one of the most prominent destinations for rural tourism.

Deputy minister highlights growth in rural tourism and community empowerment

TEHRAN— Deputy Tourism Minister Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpei has emphasized the growth in Iran’s rural tourism aimed to empower local communities and help reverse migration to villages.

Rural literary tourism route launched in Kandelous, northern Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has inaugurated a rural literary tourism route in the village of Kandelous in northern Mazandaran province, linking local folklore with cultural and ecological tourism, officials said.

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.

Kandelous village in northern Iran implements accessible tourism measures

TEHRAN - Kandelous village in Mazandaran province has become one of Iran’s pioneering rural destinations to successfully implement “accessible tourism” initiatives, according to Mehdi Es’haqi, the deputy provincial tourism chief.

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.

Alborz farms to put some spark into agritourism

TEHRAN – Some new agritourism businesses have been granted operating permits in Alborz province, marking a momentous step for farms to host holidaymakers.

Sustainable rural tourism high on agenda, says deputy minister

TEHRAN – Deputy Tourism Minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian has emphasized the importance of developing rural tourism in a way that minimizes environmental, social, and cultural drawbacks.

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.

Hezar-Daf Festival reverberates musical legacy of Kordestan

TEHRAN - The echoes of the ancient melodies resonated, in Palangan, one of the Kordestan’s oldest villages, enriching the spirits of thousands of fellow countrymen.

Kandovan village: East Azarbaijan's tourist magnet

TEHRAN - During the Nowruz and Eid al-Fitr holidays, Kandovan, shining in UN Tourism's tentative list of best villages, stood out as a popular tourist spot.

South Khorasan shines bright with rural destinations

TEHRAN – Situated in the eastern part of Iran, South Khorasan holds 14 approved target destination villages, which makes the province a delightful station for travel lovers.

Iran’s rural tourism: eight villages vie for UN recognition

TEHRAN – As this year’s UN Tourism deadline to submit applications for the best tourism villages evaluation draws near [April 24], Iran has nominated eight most qualified villages to vie for global recognition.

Fahraj chosen as target village for rural tourism

TEHRAN - In a recent announcement by Mohammad-Ali Shahhosseini, the Deputy for Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Yazd Governorate, Fahraj village has been designated as a target village for rural tourism.

Baraghan, Salehieh listed among Iran’s top tourist villages

TEHRAN – Baraghan and Salehieh, situated in Iran’s Alborz province, have been included in the national list of top tourist villages.

Ardabil set to enrich tourism circuit

TEHRAN – Ardabil province in northwest Iran is set to diversify its rural tourism by adding new destinations.

Villages in Ilam adapted for rural tourism

TEHRAN – Following months of work, seven villages, situated in the lesser-known Ilam province, western Iran, have been modified for rural tourism.

200 villages up for rural tourism in Khuzestan

TEHRAN – More than 200 villages in Khuzestan have been selected for rural tourism development across the southwestern Iranian province, the provincial tourism chief said on Monday.