Iranian handicrafts evolved to meet more consumer, market needs: minister

TEHRAN – Iranian handicrafts have been evolved to meet more customer tastes and to enter new markets, thanks to its immense capacities, and creativity of craftspeople, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan has said.

Ruined Sassanid city restoration works begin

TEHRAN - Work to restore Belad Shapur has begun at several locations across the ruined Sassanid city, which is situated in Dehdasht, southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province.

Access path to once out-of-reach fort under construction  

TEHRAN – Local authorities have launched a tourism project to construct an access path to Qahqaheh fortress, which was once an out-of-reach military monument in Meshkinshahr, northwestern Ardebil province.

Museum of traditional sweets set to open in Yazd

TEHRAN – A museum dedicated to confectionery and traditional sweets is set to be launched in the UNESCO-registered city of Yazd, which is famed for its local foods and edible souvenirs.

Venezuelan minister to visit Tehran to discuss tourism cooperation  

TEHRAN – Venezuelan Tourism Minister Alí Padrón Paredes will visit Iran in the next few days to discuss tourism cooperation, Caracas’ Ambassador to Tehran Carlos Antonio Alcala Cordones has said.

Imam Mosque: a grand, sparkling jewel of Islamic architecture  

TEHRAN – At the southern end of the UNESCO-registered Imam (Naghsh-e Jahan) Square stands the big, grand, and imposing Imam Mosque in the touristic city of Isfahan, central Iran.

First ‘house of handicrafts’ makes debut in Alborz province

TEHRAN – A ‘house of handicrafts’, which according to cultural heritage officials is first of its kind in Alborz province, was officially inaugurated on Sunday in the city of Karaj, the capital of the northcentral Iranian province.

Sistan-Baluchestan loses $34.2 million in tourism earnings as a result of COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province has lost 1,440  billion rials ($34.2 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) in earnings from tourism as many potential visitors stay away due to the impact of the coronavirus, according to  Alireza Jalalzaei, the provincial tourism chief.

Over 3,000 smuggled relics returned to Iran since August 2017: minister  

TEHRAN – More than 3,000 historical objects that had been looted and smuggled out of Iran decades ago have been returned home since August 2017, when Presiden Hassan Rouhani began his second administration, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Monday.

Vast permanent center for handicrafts to be inaugurated near Tehran  

TEHRAN – A massive permanent center for the craftsmanship and trade of handicrafts is being constructed in Alborz province, northcentral Iran.

No harm to Hormozgan historical sites by quake

TEHRAN – A medium-sized 5.5 magnitude earthquake that struck Hormozgan on Saturday caused no damage to historical structures and sites across the southern Iranian province.

All historical sites in need of restoration in Shushtar

TEHRAN – Nearly all historical sites and monuments, which are scattered across the ancient town of Shushtar and its outskirts, are in need of restoration work, tourism director of the southwestern Iranian town has said.

By Afshin Majlesi

The disabled and fresh start for corona-hit tourism

Booking services, airports, transport facilities, hotel rooms, restaurants, public places, equipment rentals, and tourist attractions, or dealing with an untrained travel-related staff, all could be tough and time-consuming for people with disabilities who are left behind in many tourism destinations.

Iranian, Indian travel experts discuss Shiraz history, tourism, and culture

TEHRAN – A number of travelers, tour operators, and marketers exchanged views on Shiraz, its history, culture, and unique travel destinations during a webinar held on Monday evening.

Ashgabat exhibit featuring handicrafts, tourism potentials of Iran

TEHRAN – A select of handicrafts and tourism potentials of Iran are being showcased at an exhibition which opened its doors to the public in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on September 27, concurrent with the World Tourism Day.

'Achaemenid-era embankment dams still source of inspiration for modern architects, engineers'

 TEHRAN – An Iranian archaeologist believes that embankment dams constructed in the country during the Achaemenid era (c. 550 – 330 BC) and their role in water management is still a source of inspiration for modern architects and engineers.

Islamic-era tomb-chamber, skeleton discovered in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – A human skeleton has recently been discovered by a team of archaeologists while conducting a demarcation survey across Geoy Tepe in northwest Iran.

Coronavirus: Clean Cave Day to be observed under strict health protocols

TEHRAN – The Iranian Cave and Speleology Association has requested nature lovers and ordinary people not to enter caves on the Clean Cave Day, September 23, saying, this year the occasion will be observed under strict health protocols by experienced cavers.

Iranian tourism, ancient civilization on show at China exhibit

TEHRAN – A delegation of Iranian crafters and tour operators are attending China International Tourism Industry Expo (CITIE), promoting tourism destinations, arts, and rituals of the ancient land to visitors. 

IranAir to resume Tehran-Madrid flights after 17 years   

TEHRAN – The Iranian embassy in Spain has announced that the country’s flag carrier IranAir will resume flights after 17 years between Tehran and Madrid.

160 tourism projects worth $660m underway in Fars province

TEHRAN – A total of 160 tourism projects, worth 28 trillion rials (some $660 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) are being implemented in Fars province, which is a top tourist destination in southern Iran.

UNESCO provides financial support to restore ancient caravansary in Iran

TEHRAN - The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization has provided financial support to restore an ancient caravansary, which is located in Savojbolagh county, Alborz province, northern Iran.

Tabas Geopark moves closer to possible UNESCO registration

TEHRAN – An extensive dossier, which is an essential prerequisite for possible UNESCO inscription of a site, has almost been completed for the gigantic Tabas Geopark, which is situated in east-central Iran.

Qeshm Geopark could lose UNESCO tag

TEHRAN – Iran’s southern Qeshm Geopark could lose its UNESCO status due to years of large-scale shrimp hatchery operations that could be referred to as an example of environmental mismanagement in the country.