Iran museums, historical sites shut down amid fears of virus outbreak

TEHRAN – Iran has temporarily closed cultural heritage museums and historical sites in 15 provinces in a preventive measure amid fears of coronavirus outbreak.

Dam tourism one step closer to take off

TEHRAN – Dam tourism is one step closer to launch in Iran as Energy Ministry has finally announced readiness to create and develop required infrastructure in partnership with the private sector.

Foreign visits to Aras Free Zone up 74% in 10 months

TEHRAN – The number of foreign arrivals in Aras Free Zone, northwestern Iran, rose by 74 percent during the first ten months of the [current Iranian calendar] year (started March 21, 2019), IRNA reported. 

Tricky waterproof repairs cast doubt over fate of Iranian architecture masterpiece

TEHRAN – Many visitors to the 17th-centyry Sheikh Lotfollah Mosque, a top masterpiece of Iranian architecture that stands tall in Isfahan, witnessed last month that its picturesque creamy dome was emerged split-face from a snowfall.

Sarab-e Qandil: what ambiguous bas-relief hint at Sassanid monarchy?

TEHRAN - Reliefs bear significant testimony to fragments of the history of mankind as well as the art history, itself.  Reliefs can be found more or less in each corner of Iran, and even the globe. Who knows, maybe some of them are still having untold stories.

Foreign arrivals in Mazandaran surge 38 percent

TEHRAN – The number of foreign visitors arriving in Iran’s northern Mazandaran province surged 38 percent since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019), compared with the same period last year, provincial deputy tourism chief has said.

Iran tourism will rebound despite suffering a severe blow: minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister on Sunday said that the country’s tourism industry has suffered a major setback but it will certainly return to “normal”.

Iran’s civilization, history deserve to be seen, Italian tourism expert says

TEHRAN – A senior Italian tourism expert who has recently embarked on some tours across Iran believes that a gap exists between reality in Iran and the media image of the country worldwide, emphasizing that the country’s civilization and history deserve to be seen.

Iran closes southwestern border to Iraqi travelers

TEHRAN – Iran has closed its southwestern Chazzabeh border crossing with Iraq to inbound travelers due to insecurity and unrest in the neighboring country.

Travelers’ camp to bring comfort to visitors of Saint Thaddeus monastery

TEHRAN – A travelers’ campsite is to be established adjacent to the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus, northwestern Iran, in order to bring comfort to the visitors of the UNESCO-registered place of worship.

American travel-food vlogger takes social media by storm in Iran

TEHRAN – Thailand-based American food and travel vlogger Mark Wiens has recently arrived in Tehran, tasting street foods and sending videos to hundreds of thousands of his followers on the social media.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran at the height of travel season

TEHRAN – Perhaps it is tough to define a best time for visiting Iran, which is known as a four-season country, I mean spring, summer, fall and winter; each having its own charms and travel lovers.

Tribal rituals, arts and crafts on show at Kermanshah festival

TEHRAN – Tribespeople and nomads, who are natives of 21 Iranian provinces, on Saturday started showcasing and promoting their rituals, arts, crafts and souvenirs at a national festival in the western city of Kermanshah.

Anzali hosts over five million travelers in H1

TEHRAN – Over five million travelers visited Iran’s Bandar-e Anzali, a port city located in the northern Gilan province, during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019).

21 tourism projects underway in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province

TEHRAN – A total of 21 tourism-related projects are currently underway in Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari with the aim of bolstering the travel and hospitality sector across the less-developed province.

Azna snow tunnel added to national heritage list

TEHRAN – Iran has added Azna snow tunnel, which is one of the most spectacular landscapes in western Lorestan province, to its national heritage list, ILNA reported on Thursday.

Mounesan named acting tourism minister

TEHRAN - In a decree on Wednesday, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani appointed Ali-Asghar Mounesan as the acting tourism minister.

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.

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.

Iraqi arrivals in Iran gaining momentum

TEHRAN - The number of Iraqi nationals visiting Iran is gaining momentum this year as the Islamic Republic endeavors to boost its tourism revenues in the face of U.S.-led sanctions. 

Chabahar to host surf festival

TEHRAN – A major surf festival will be commenced in Iran’s Chabahar on June 20, with the aim of attracting more travelers to the port city, which is located in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Yazd hotels, museums offering discounts to Chinese visitors

TEHRAN - Hotels and museums in the city of Yazd are offering deep discounts on accommodation and entry fees for Chinese travelers on the occasion of the Chinese New Year celebrations.

‘Zaras village’ an emerging destination for nature lovers 

TEHRAN - Once an intact village in the heart of Zagros Mountains, Zaras is becoming a favorite travel destination in the southwestern Khuzestan province.

Discover Rayen on the margins of Iranian desert

TEHRAN - Under the glare of blazing sun and on the margins of a harsh desert lies the ancient city of Rayen.

Iranian cities, free zone closer to visa-free travel for Iraqi nationals

TEHRAN – Iran is considering to grant visa-free entry to Iraqi nationals visiting southwestern cities of Abadan and Khorramshahr and Arvand Free Zone as well.

Europeans topmost travelers to Shahdad desert

TEHRAN – Europeans have constituted the highest number of arrivals in Iran’s Shahdad desert since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21), ISNA reported.

Tourism gains momentum in West Azarbaijan province

TEHRAN – Some one million people stayed at tourist accommodations across northwestern West Azarbaijan province during the first seven months of the current Iranian calendar year (starred March 21), which shows 10 percent year-on-year growth, provincial tourism chief said on Monday.

Iran expecting 7m foreign travelers by yearend

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief on Wednesday estimated that international arrivals in the country will be reaching seven million during the current Iranian calendar year (to be ended on March 20, 2019).

Iranian companies to partake in Paris tourism fair

TEHRAN – Several Iranian travel businesses and exhibitors are scheduled to participate in the 40th International French travel market (IFTM Top Resa 2018), a four-day tourism exhibit running at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from September 25 to 28.