By Afshin Majlesi

Six destinations to visit in Hamedan when travel opens up

TEHRAN – It is more than a year since many countries around the world have imposed sweeping travel bans and advisories to stem the spread of novel coronavirus within their borders and beyond.

Iran named vice-chairman of UNWTO specialized committee 

TEHRAN -- Iran has been selected as the vice-chairman of the Committee for the Review of Applications for Affiliate Membership, one of the specialized panels of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). 

Coronavirus: world tourist arrivals fall by more than 70%

TEHRAN – World tourist arrivals fell by 72% over the first ten months of the year, according to data compiled by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).

UNWTO registers Iran national brand for tourism

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization has recently registered “Majestic Iran: a Different Experience” as the national brand for the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Tourism can’t wait for vaccinations to become a widespread reality: UNWTO

TEHRAN – The tourism sector cannot wait for the coronavirus vaccinations to become a widespread reality, members of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)  have stressed.

Coronavirus cuts Iran tourist arrivals by 72%: UNWTO

TEHRAN – International tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of the year when compared to 2019, the World Tourism Organization reported, highlighting the severe impact of COVID-19 as the main factor.

Iran forms national committee for gastronomy tourism

TEHRAN – A national committee has recently been established for gastronomy tourism, which is globally known as a vital component of the traveling experience.

UNWTO conference in Iran postponed over coronavirus

TEHRAN – The International Conference on Ecotourism and Rural Tourism, which was scheduled to be held in Iran in November, has been postponed over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

‘Majestic Iran, a Different Experience’ chosen as tourism motto

TEHRAN - ‘Majestic Iran, a Different Experience’ was introduced as the official motto for Iran’s tourism industry on Sunday as the country aims to hammer home the message of diversity and richness in recreational, cultural, and medical tourism.

Iran to become member of UNWTO ‘influential’ committees

TEHRAN - Iran’s deputy tourism minister has said the Islamic Republic will be a member of two “influential” committees at the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), IRNA reported.

Responsible tourism a workable solution for coronavirus era: minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister has said that responsible tourism is a workable solution for holidaymakers to get assured of safe traveling during the coronavirus pandemic.

If tourism brings us together, then travel restrictions keep us apart: UNWTO Secretary-General

TEHRAN – In his latest massage regarding the impact on the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Secretary-General has said “If tourism brings us together, then travel restrictions keep us apart.”

Coronavirus costs Iran’s tourism $2.8b so far, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s travel sector has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Monday.

UNESCO to maintain cooperation with Iran on national tourism plan

TEHRAN – Iran, UNESCO, and its agency UNWTO, which is responsible for the promotion of sustainable and universally accessible tourism, will be starting another round of joint effort to help develop a national comprehensive tourism plan for the Islamic Republic.

Coronavirus-crippled tourism industry needs national support to rebound: official

TEHRAN – The domestic tourism industry crippled by the coronavirus pandemic needs national support to make a rebound, deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri has said.

Iran joins UNWTO online campaign to promote gastronomy tourism

TEHRAN – Iran has joined an online campaign launched by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to promote gastronomy as an essential part of tourism, a senior official with the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ministry, has said.

Iran, ITC developing national tourism export strategies

TEHRAN – Iran’s deputy tourism chief has said that the social, wildlife, historical, cultural, and medical realms of tourism have been selected for the ongoing cooperation between Iran and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in the way of developing the national tourism export strategies for the Islamic Republic.

UNWTO meeting: Iran outlines measures to help tourism recover from COVID-19

TEHRAN – Iran took part in a virtual seminar of the United Nations World Tourism Organization on Wednesday, outlining measures the country has taken so far to prop up the travel industry since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Iran setting rules to resume foreign tourist arrivals amid pandemic

TEHRAN – The ministries of tourism and health in close collaboration with several other government bodies are defining a series of rules for admitting foreign travelers to the country amid a standstill in the global tourism industry caused mainly by the coronavirus.

49 tourism projects worth $273m to come on stream

TEHRAN – A total of 49 tourism projects, worth 11,500 billion rials (some $273m at the official rate of 42,000 rials) will soon be inaugurated across the country.

Iran ‘has earned plaudits’ to ease COVID-19 impact on tourism, UNWTO says

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization has praised efforts made by Iran's tourism ministry to manage the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic.

Virtual tours of Iran available for foreign tourists

TEHRAN – An Iranian travel agency is offering virtual tours of some distinguished historical places across the country for foreign tourists as the country’s tourism, like many other countries, has gone into partial or complete lockdown over the Covid-19 pandemic. 

COVID-19 cuts foreign arrivals in Iran by 15.8%: UNWTO

TEHRAN – Iran has suffered an average 15.8 percent fall in foreign arrivals during the first three months of 2020 compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) that analyzes impact of the COVID-19 on international tourism.

Comprehensive tourism plan to be formulated for Lake Urmia

TEHRAN – Iran’s West Azarbaijan province aims to develop a comprehensive tourism plan to boost tourism around Lake Urmia, which was once the largest salt-water lake in West Asia.

Iran, Asia-Pacific countries discuss post-coronavirus tourism 

TEHRAN – Iran and the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Asia-Pacific member states held a webinar on Tuesday, discussing ways to expand tourism in the region after coronavirus crisis ends. 

“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. 

No excuses, no exceptions: UNWTO urges travelers to care others amid corona threat

TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization has urged travelers to exercise more responsibly by both caring about themselves and others amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Iran third fastest growing tourism destination in 2019: UNWTO

TEHRAN – Iran was ranked the third fastest growing tourism destination in the globe in 2019, with 27.9 percent growth year on year, according to the latest statistics released by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).