Foreign visitors hold 40% share of hotel occupancy in Khorasan Razavi

TEHRAN – Foreign travelers and pilgrims account for some 40 percent share of hotel occupancy in Khorasan Razavi province, a local tourism official has said.

Iranian hajj pilgrims returning home

TEHRAN – The first group of Iranian hajj pilgrims flew home on Friday, departing from Medina in Saudi Arabia to Sari, the capital of Mazandaran province, Tasnim reported.

Visits to North Khorasan museums increase by fourfold

TEHRAN – Visits to archaeological and cultural heritage museums in North Khorasan province have increased by fourfold during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21), compared to the same period last year.

Foreign arrivals in Gilan province jump 93% in 3 months on year

TEHRAN - The number of foreign arrivals in Gilan province soared 93 percent in the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, a provincial tourism official has said.

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-Ankara train resumes service after four years

TEHRAN - Turkey and Iran have resumed a train service between Ankara and Tehran after a four-year hiatus. The train is scheduled to leave the Iranian capital every Wednesday at 21:50 local time.

Foreign visits to Fars province’s historical sites on the rise

TEHRAN – Visits by international travelers to historical sites in Fars province rose 12 percent during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period a year earlier.

Beat the heat with tasty Iranian cold soup “Ab Doogh Khiar”

TEHRAN – The summer heatwave here in Iran and many other places across the globe can be dealt with a refreshing recipe like the Iranian cold soup “Ab Doogh Khiar”!

Foreign arrivals in Yazd jumps 29% in 4 months on year

TEHRAN – The number of foreign travelers visiting Iran’s Yazd province surged 29 percent in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, a provincial tourism official has said.

Nicaragua’s finance minister visits National Museum of Iran

TEHRAN - Nicaragua’s Minister of Finance and Public Credit Ivan Acosta Montalvan toured the National Museum of Iran on Tuesday.

Vintage cars to go on parade in Tehran

TEHRAN - The Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) is scheduled to stage a vintage car parade in Tehran on August 14.

Border traffic on the rise between Iran, Azerbaijan

TEHRAN – Traffic of passengers between Iran and Azerbaijan at Bileh Savar border crossing has increased by 23 percent in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, a local official has said.

Karim Khan Citadel, a top-rated tourist attraction in Shiraz

TEHRAN – Photos depict people visiting the centuries-old Karim Khan Citadel (locally known as Arg-e Karim Khan), a top-rated tourist attraction in downtown Shiraz, on August 10, 2019.

Official borders open to foreign travelers without passport stamps

TEHRAN – All Iranian border crossings let foreign nationals in without passport stamps according to a presidential decree that orders for the waiver of physical stamping on travelers’ passports upon entering or leaving the country, Interior Ministry’s spokesman has said.

Silk Road a suitable opportunity to introduce ancient Iran

TEHRAN – The possible inscription of the ancient Silk Road on the UNESCO World Heritage list will open up a suitable opportunity for Iran to present its cultural, literary, historical and scientific achievements to the world, the secretary general of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO has said.

Tehran, Beijing stress expansion of tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iran tourism chief Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Wednesday met with Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Chang Hua, stressing the need for expansion of cooperation to exchange more travelers.

Meet designer who brings contemporary architecture to ancient Iran

TEHRAN – There have been many innovative ways to introduce cultural heritage sites to avid sightseers and potential travelers, one may be creating photomontages in order to make them even more inspiring!

Tourism flourishing despite sanctions: VP

TEHRAN – Iran tourism chief on Tuesday said that that country’s tourism sector is gaining momentum despite U.S.-led sanctions. 

Chinese envoy says wants to be ‘tourism ambassador’ for Iran

TEHRAN - Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua has said that he wants to be “a tourism ambassador” for Iran in order to help expand bilateral ties.

UNESCO-tagged Lut Desert draws 5,000 foreign visitors a year

TEHRAN – Over 5,000 foreign sightseers visited the UNESCO-registered Lut Desert in the barren heartland of Iran during the past Iranian calendar year (ended March 20, 2019).

Iran one step closer to create ministry of tourism

TEHRAN – Iran has moved a step closer to form a ministry of cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism, as its Guardian Council, which is empowered to vet legislation in the Islamic Republic, gave its approval on Monday.

By Afshin Majlesi

The ancient art of making ships in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Maritime trade, shipping and shipbuilding have long been practiced in Iran. There have been many small or big shipyards across the northern coasts of the Persian Gulf.

Visitors to West Azarbaijan museums almost doubles yr/yr

TEHRAN - With its rich culture and unique natural landscapes, Iran’s West Azarbaijan province is becoming an increasingly popular destination for local and even international travelers.

Yazd festival offering local Iranian dishes

TEHRAN – A wide variety of dishes, indigenous to many corners of Iran, are being offered to visitors under one roof in the city of Yazd, central Iran.

UNESCO-tagged Bisotun hosting workshop for tour guides

TEHRAN – Iran’s UNESCO-tagged Bisotun is hosting a 5-day professional workshop for tourist guides as the country is trying its best to draw more sightseers.

4WD car rally called off in support of UNESCO-tagged forest

TEHRAN - The Touring & Automobile Club of the Islamic Republic of Iran (TACI) has canceled its plan for staging a rally of four-wheel-drive cars that opponents believe could inflict harm to environment of the Hyrcanian Forest, which has been recently designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage.

By Afshin Majlesi, Mehdi Sepahvand

Belgian globetrotters share us their new perception of Iran

TEHRAN – Last Monday, a Belgian couple, who are on an overland journey to China, paid a visit to The Tehran Times, where they let us share their views, experiences and feelings about Iran in a cozy chat with the daily.

Artificial lake ready for inauguration in Tehran

TEHRAN – A small, man-made lake is set to be officially opened to the public in northern Tehran. 

China’s Song Tao visits National Museum of Iran

TEHRAN – Song Tao, the head of the International Liaison Department of the Communist Party of China, toured the National Museum of Iran on Tuesday.

Kordasht Bathhouse; a tourist destination famed for intricate interior design

TEHRAN – Photos depict exterior and interior views of the historical Kordasht Bathhouse, a tourist destination famed for intricate geometrical arrangements and spectacular wall paintings, July 27, 2019.