UNWTO conference examines ways to develop sports tourism

TEHRAN – A host of international travel experts have discussed ways to expand sports tourism as one of the emerging propellers of the COVID-battered industry.

Iran prepares to welcome Iraqi sightseers, pilgrims  

TEHRAN – Iran is getting prepared to welcome more Iraqi sightseers, pilgrims, and medical travelers.

Iranian, Italian archaeologists begin work on Burnt City

TEHRAN – A group of Iranian and Italian archaeologists on Thursday commenced a fresh round of exploration in Burnt City, which is an enigmatic UNESCO-registered site in southeastern Iran.

Iranian handicrafts: Khameh-Duzi of Sistan-Baluchestan

TEHRAN – Khameh-Duzi is a subcategory of traditional embroidery in Iran. This craft is common in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province, and in particular in the city of Zabol and its outskirts.

Iran wants UNESCO recognition for archaeologically-rich Sialk

TEHRAN – Iran is preparing to nominate its archaeologically-rich Sialk Hill for a possible UNESCO registration.

Anjireh caravanserai one step closer for being global

TEHRAN – Photo depicts the ruins of Anjireh caravanserai which is estimated to date from the Ilkhanid era (1256–1353) situated in a barren desert in central Iran, September 14, 2021.

Historical bridge, madrasa, fortress added to Iran national heritage list

TEHRAN – Seven historical structures including a bridge, madrasa, and a fortress, situated in Iran’s Semnan province, have recently been added to the national list for cultural heritage.

Colorful destinations: what to do in every season in Iran?

TEHRAN - If you’re thinking about traveling to Iran whenever the coronavirus is finally behind us, you might wonder what time of year is best.

Work begins to demarcate Sheikh Shahab al-Din Ahari ensemble

TEHRAN – A team of archaeologists and cultural heritage experts have launched a demarcation project to propose legal boundaries of Sheikh Shahab al-Din Ahari ensemble, which is located near Ahar, East Azarbaijan province.

No threat to ancient Narin fortress, official says

TEHRAN – No potential threat poses Narin Qa’leh, an ancient mud-brick fortress, which is located in the city of Meybod, Yazd province.

Jameh Mosque of Kerman lures sightseers, historians for its location, design, and ornamentation

TEHRAN - Jameh Mosque of Kerman has long been a source of charm for history buffs, architects, and travelers to the ancient Iranian city.

Magnificent ancient places on Earth: The Gate of Xerxes

TEHRAN - The bronze trumpets that once signaled the arrival of important foreign delegations to Persepolis, the ceremonial capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire,  may now be silent, but it is still possible to capture the sense of awe while visiting the colossal Gate of Xerxes.

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.