Special plan approved for restoration of historical texture of Hamedan

TEHRAN-- A special plan for preservation and restoration of the historical-cultural texture of Hamedan has been approved.

Fars plans to make historical sites, traditional accommodation centers suitable for disabled, elderl

TEHRAN – Although the adaptation of hotels and accommodation centers in Fars province for the disabled and elderly has been completed to some extent, and tourism investors are particularly concerned that the principles are observed in construction of new centers, historical sites and traditional accommodation centers still face problems in this regard.

Tabas Salt Lake added to national natural heritage list

TEHRAN – The Tabas Salt Lake in South Khorasan province has currently been registered on Iran’s national natural heritage list following approval by the National Council for Registration of Natural Heritage, a provincial official said.

Desert village Qaleh Bala moves closer to possible UN label

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities in Shahroud have finalized a dossier to nominate the village of Qaleh Bala in Semnan province for inscription by the UN Tourism, a local official said on Saturday.

Minister suggests formation of spiritual tourism triangle in Semnan province

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, on Thursday called for the formation of a spiritual tourism triangle stretching from Shahroud to the capital city of Semnan, during a visit to eastern Semnan province.

Damghan proposed as hub for eastern Iran civilizational studies

TEHRAN– Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts on Thursday called for Damghan in Semnan province to be developed into a center for civilizational studies in eastern Iran, stressing the need for scientific protection and integrated management of two major historical sites in the city.

Tourism and handicrafts sectors, tools of cultural diplomacy, says advisor to minister

TEHRAN -- Looking at tourism and handicrafts is not merely economic, but rather it is considered as a tool of public and cultural diplomacy to strengthen the connection between nations and influence the relations between the governments, emphasized Atefeh Marvi, advisor to Minister of Cultural Heritage for women and family affairs.

Police Museum opens in Bojnurd's Mofakham Cultural and Historical Complex

TEHRAN -- A Police Museum, was opened in Mofakham Cultural and Historical Complex in Bojnurd, North Khorasan province on Tuesday with cooperation of the province’s Police Force Command.

Qazvin’s Baklava should become a global brand, says deputy minister

TEHRAN – Qazvin’s Baklava (layered pastry dessert), as an example of the art and history of people of Qazvin, should become a global brand through coordination and planning, said the Deputy Minister of Handicrafts at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.

Zardalu Abad monuments indicate cultural and historical developments of Ilam

TEHRAN-- Examples of evidence and identifications from prehistoric to historical periods and the Iron Age, as well as evidence from the Sassanid period and early Islamic centuries, can be seen in the ancient historical monuments of Zardalu Abad in Mishkhas region, Ilam, which indicate the important cultural and historical developments.

North Khorasan has capacity to become standalone tourism destination, official says

TEHRAN - North Khorasan province has the capacity to become a complete tourism destination on its own, a senior tourism official said during a one-day visit to the province.

Official highlights Isfahan’s potential as West Asia medical tourism hub

TEHRAN - Isfahan has the capacity to become a medical tourism hub not only in Iran but across West Aisa, a provincial tourism official said on Wednesday.

Zahedan hosting handicrafts exhibition

TEHRAN - An exhibition showcasing the capabilities of handicrafts producers, cooperatives and skills trainees opened on Saturday in Zahedan, the capital of Sistan-Baluchestan province, southeast Iran.

Semnan tourism department to revamp surroundings of Shah Abbasi caravanserai

TEHRAN – Semnan’s cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts department has begun plans to reorganize the area surrounding the centuries-old Shah Abbasi caravanserai which is located in the north-central Iranian province.

Tehran, Baku consider reopening passenger border crossings

TEHRAN - Iran and Azerbaijan are considering reopening of passenger traffic across their shared border following talks between senior officials, Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday.

Northwest Iran popular destination for Turkish tourists, consul general says

TEHRAN - Turkey’s consul general in Iran’s northwestern city of Urmia has said that tourist attractions in West Azarbaijan province, including UNESCO-listed sites, are popular among Turkish visitors and called for a direct flight between Ankara and Urmia.

National framework set for integrated handicrafts value chain

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has approved a comprehensive national document to manage the production, distribution, marketing and export value chain of handicrafts, aiming to coordinate executive bodies and strengthen the sector’s role in the economy.

Minister backs global registration push for Anbaran kilim craft

TEHRAN - Iran’s minister of cultural heritage, tourism and handicrafts said on Saturday that the city of Anbaran in Ardabil province should pursue global registration for its kilim weaving tradition, citing the role of local women artisans and the sector’s economic potential.

Iran highlights on view at EMITT 2026

TEHRAN – Iran has taken part in the 29th edition of the EMITT 2026 International Tourism Exhibition, which opened on Thursday in Istanbul, Turkey.

By Maryam Rostami

Before refrigerators, Iran had Yakhchals: Where did summer ice come from?

GONABAD – Have you ever paused, while sipping a chilled sharbat or juice with ice cubes floating inside, or enjoying an iced tea or iced coffee, to wonder how people kept their drinks and food cool before modern refrigerators and ice makers existed? Did they have access to cold water during the scorching days of summer? To find the answers, one can look to the heart of Iran’s desert cities—places where architectural ingenuity and human adaptation to nature gave rise to remarkable structures known as yakhchals, or icehouses.

Iran tourism has potential to rebound quickly, guides’ head says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

Iran tourism maintains international appeal, expert says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry continues to attract international interest, an expert said, following the country’s participation in the FITUR international tourism fair in Madrid last week.

Work on Xerxes I tomb at Naqsh-e Rostam nears completion

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the rock-cut tomb of Achaemenid king Xerxes I is nearing completion after years of conservation efforts, a local official has said.

Tehran tourism fair postponed amid concerns

TEHRAN - Iran has decided to postpone the 19th Tehran International Tourism and Handicrafts Exhibition following a joint meeting between tourism officials and private sector representatives.

Ancient Sadeh festival can reinforce social cohesion and unity, governor-general says

TEHRAN – Kerman’s governor-general Mohammad-Ali Talebi said on Wednesday that the ancient Sadeh festival is a national ritual belonging to all Iranians and can contribute to social cohesion and unity.

Chabahar to host Iran's national tourism award

TEHRAN-- Iran's national tourism award event will be held in Chabahar, Sistan-Baluchestan province, from February 14 to 16, with a technology and innovation approach, aiming to develop and promote new approaches in the field of tourism.

Lawmaker criticizes neglect of Khuzestan’s ‘golden triangle’ of tourism

TEHRAN - A senior Iranian lawmaker on Thursday criticized what he called the neglect of Khuzestan province’s key tourism assets, saying inadequate funding has prevented development of the historical cities of Dezful, Susa and Shushtar.

Urgent repairs ordered after water leak damages Isfahan’s UNESCO-listed mosque

TEHRAN – Cultural heritage authorities have launched emergency measures to contain water leakage and ground subsidence at the UNESCO-listed Jameh Mosque of Isfahan after moisture and cracks were detected near its centuries-old Nezam al-Molk dome.