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.

Foreigners astonished by Iran’s failure to introduce tourist attractions

TEHRAN – International travelers visiting Iran are confounded why Iran is appearing so weak in introducing its historical and natural attractions, the director of Iran’s center of the International Council of Museums (ICOM-Iran) has said.

Ascending to Qaleh Babak challenging but rewarding

TEHRAN – Qaleh Babak is a ruined fortress nested atop a pick in northwest Iran. Ascending the mount to set foot on the ancient fort seems somewhat arduous for many visitors but in most cases proves to be a considerable and gratifying experience.

Iran’s tourism unfazed by Booking.com business wind-down: expert

TEHRAN – Head of Iran Hotel Association has said that Booking.com’s restrictions will not jeopardize the country’s inbound tourism.

Foreign arrivals rise 4.3% yr/yr

TEHRAN - The number of foreign visitors to Iran rose 4.3 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1396 (ended March 20) compared to the year before, said the deputy director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.

Over 11 million Iranians visit Mazandaran during Noruz

TEHRAN – Over 11 million domestic holidaymakers visited Iran’s northern Mazandaran province, from March 18 to 30.

Khorasan Razavi hosts 1.7m foreign tourists in 11 months

TEHRAN – Some 1.7 million foreign nationals visited Khorasan Razavi province, northeast Iran, during the first 11 months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2017).

Visit Nader Shah’s mausoleum in Mashhad

TEHRAN – The modest mausoleum of Nader Shah in downtown Mashhad is well worth a visit while traveling to the northeastern Iranian metropolis.

Towers of silence where antiquity meets modernity

TEHRAN – Towers of silence in central Iran are not any more dedicated to bones of the dead to get cleaned by vultures. In modern era, they are just peaceful destinations for domestic and foreign travelers.

Over $12m allotted to expand eco-lodges in Hormozgan

TEHRAN – Over 500 billion rials (roughly $12.5 million) will be channeled into building new eco-lodge inns across Hormozgan province in southern Iran.

Tourism chief calls on private sector to assist ‘Tabriz 2018’

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief has called for a partnership between domestic travel companies and associated businesses to help organize ‘Tabriz 2018’, an event which marks the naming of Tabriz as the capital of Islamic tourism.

Ali Sadr Cave: Stepping into Jurassic era!

TEHRAN – Each day tens of domestic and foreign sightseers set foot in Ali Sadr Cave, a gigantic water-filled cavern wieldy believed to date from Jurassic era.

15 Eco-lodges to open in southeast Iran

TEHRAN – A total of 15 eco-lodges are about to open doors to travelers in Sistan-Baluchestan province, a booming yet untapped tourist destination in southeast Iran.

Yazd to host air sports tourism event

TEHRAN – The rugged landscape of Yazd province in central Iran will play host to a four-day festival of air sports tourism, which will start on October 31.

Iran’s 5-month outbound passengers +20.9% y/y: official

TEHRAN – Over 3.4 million Iranians traveled abroad during the first five months of the current [Iranian] calendar year (started on March 21, 2017), an increase of 20.9 percent from a year earlier, a tourism official said on Monday.

Each tourist means 30 barrels of oil in revenues for Iran

TEHRAN – Every single foreign tourist visiting Iran spends an average of $1,200, bringing in income as much as exporting 30 barrels of oil, the Iranian tourism chief said in a meaningful comparison as the country seeks to cut reliance on oil incomes.

Historical lodgings can buttress Iranian hospitality industry

TEHRAN – Abundant historical mansions scattered across Iran, if restored properly as tourist lodgings, can bolster hospitality industry of the country that is steadily becoming a hot tourist destination.