By Afshin Majlesi

Iran’s trump cards to kick-start tourism in post-COVID-19 world

TEHRAN – As you are well aware, the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus has plunged the travel and tourism industry in the global scene, disrupting life in ways that were unimaginable just a few months ago.

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.

EU designates Naghsh-e Jahan Sq. as World Heritage asset

TEHRAN – The Horizon 2020, which is a massive EU research and innovation program, has recently registered the 17th-century Naghsh-e Jahan Square in the city of Isfahan as a World Heritage asset with the goal of making world-firsts more known and lucrative, IRNA reported on Friday.

Easing lockdown, Iran reopens UNESCO-registered Persepolis,  other tourist destinations

TEHRAN – Iran has recently reopened the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, which was once the ceremonial capital of the mighty Achaemenid Empire, as well as many other tourist destinations to sightseers and history buffs, marking another phase in the easing of one of the world’s restrictions over the coronavirus outbreak.  

Centuries-old Iranian windmills being rehabilitated

TEHRAN – Several centuries-old windmills, locally called Asbads, are being rehabilitated in the oasis city of Tabas-e Masina, eastern Iran. 

Centuries-old polo field discovered in western Iran

TEHRAN – A centuries-old Chogan (polo) filed with stone gates, one of which bearing a dedicatory inscription, has recently been found near a village in Iran’s western Lorestan province, provincial tourism chief has announced.

800 historical monuments, sites to be ceded to private sector

TEHRAN – Some 800 historical monuments and sites across the country have been identified to be temporarily ceded to the private sector with the aim of higher productivity and better maintenance.

UNESCO puts off visit to Uraman due to coronavirus

TEHRAN – A pre-arranged visit by UNESCO experts to Uraman cultural landscape in western Kermanshah province to assess its possible inclusion in the World Heritage list, has been postponed over coronavirus outbreak in the country.

Iran’s UNESCO to organize music festival to salute health workers  

TEHRAN – The Iranian National Commission for UNESCO plans to organize an online music festival to salute doctors and health workers fighting COVID-19.

Sistan-Baluchestan exports over $3m of handicrafts

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from the lesser-known Sistan-Baluchestan province surpassed $3 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended on March 19), IRNA reported.

Iranian windmills one step closer to UNESCO status

TEHRAN – Iran is further moving towards inscribing its ancient windmills on the UNESCO World Heritage list as the country has recently completed their documentation as a preliminary stage.

Labyrinthine Bazaar of Isfahan may equal an endless charm for you!

TEHRAN - One of Iran’s most historic and fascinating traditional marketplaces, the sprawling covered Bazaar of Isfahan (locally known as Bazaar-e Bozorg) is situated in a city of the same name.

“Words Alone Will Not Save Jobs”: UNWTO calls for action to support tourism recovery

Zurab Pololikashvili, secretary general of the UNITED Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), has urged member states to increase pressure on world leaders to take decisive action to safeguard the millions of jobs under threat as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, UNWTO said in press release on Friday. 

‘World’s longest qanat’ under restoration in central Iran

TEHRAN – A restoration project has been commenced on sections of Zarch Qanat in central Iran, which had been harmed by recent flash floods. Widely known as the world’s longest subterranean aqueduct, the qanat is stretched some 80 km across Yazd province.

World Heritage Committee session postponed over coronavirus  

TEHRAN – The 44th session of the World Heritage Committee has been postponed indefinitely in an attempt to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), UNESCO official website has announced. 

Under-the-radar province registers 580,000 overnight stays in year

TEHRAN – Ilam province, which is currently an under-the-radar travel destination in western Iran, registered some 580,000 overnight stays during the past Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 20).

Excavations to restart at Soltanieh after decade-long halt

TEHRAN – Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Ministry is slated to resume archaeological excavations at the UNESCO-tagged Soltanieh Dome and its surroundings after a decade-long halt. 

UNESCO-registered sanctuary draws 60,000 visitors in year

TEHRAN – Some 60,000 travelers visited Takht-e Soleyman (“Solomon’s Throne”), an ancient isolated sanctuary in northwest Iran, during the past Iranian year 1398 (ended March 20).

75 tourism projects to come on stream in East Azarbaijan

TEHRAN – A total of 75 tourism-related projects are scheduled to be completed across Iran’s northwestern East Azarbaijan province in the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21), provincial tourism chief has said.

Discover Ozbaki hill that goes down 9,000 years in history

TEHRAN - “Nine thousand years of history.” It’s a phrase that may seem enough to draw the attention of every history buff across the globe.

Tehran exports $73m of handicrafts in year

TEHRAN – Handicrafts exports from Tehran province reached some $73 million during the previous Iranian calendar year 1398 (ended March 19), ILNA reported.

Govt. to support tourist places shut over coronavirus

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has drafted a plan to support tourist places, which have been shut down over the novel coronavirus pandemic in the country.

Qazvin ancient sites on agenda for possible UNESCO registration

TEHRAN – Qazvin province’s tourism department announced on Sunday that it “seriously” pursues efforts to have ancient sites of Sa’d-al Saltaneh caravanserai and Alamut castle registered on UNESCO World Heritage list.

By Afshin Majlesi

Susa, a top destination for history buffs

Apart from what our goals for traveling could be, it lets us experience diverse wonders, cultures, history, foods and beauties from around the world. There’s history everywhere, but history buffs doe love specific destinations.

By Afshin Majlesi

Why Iran expects tourism boom after coronavirus

TEHRAN – The novel coronavirus pandemic has brought travel to a standstill nearly all over the globe, including Iran, causing huge job and revenue losses.

Tourism minister proposes days off after coronavirus crisis ends

TEHRAN – Iranian tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Saturday proposed the government to announce days off after the country overcomes the coronavirus crisis in a bid to help the battered tourism sector make a rebound.

12 ancient sites to go in western Iran

TEHRAN – From the coasts of the Persian Gulf to the lush mountainous forests of the northwest, and from snow-tipped northern cliffs to scorching southern deserts, here is a pick of ancient sites to inspire, delight and motivate if willing to visit wild western Iran.

Imam Mosque: A grand, impressive jewel of Isfahan 

TEHRAN – At the southern end of Isfahan’s main square stands the big, grand and impressive Imam Mosque, which is not only impressive because of its sheer size and incredible decorations, but also helps to get a good impression of the needs and challenges of always on-going restoration works.

Travels banned to Iran’s “golden triangle” over virus fears

TEHRAN – Like many other destinations across Iran, its famed “golden triangle” of tourism, which is referred to the cities of Isfahan, Shiraz, and Yazd, has announced it will host no visiting tourists until further notice in a bid to curb the coronavirus outbreak.

Susa, once capital of Elamite, Achaemenid empires

TEHRAN – Now sprawling in the southwest of modern Iran, Susa is one of the oldest yet magnificent cities in the world.