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2025-06-06 17:26
By Afshin Majlesi
Soheili village: a model of sustainable tourism in southern Iran
QESHM ISLAND - As a journalist focused on tourism and cultural heritage, my recent journey to Soheili village, located on the sun-kissed Qeshm Island in southern Iran, felt less like a reporting mission and more like uncovering a hidden gem with astonishing potential.
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2025-05-30 14:19
Tehran to host UN Tourism’s forum on urban tourism
Tehran, Iran – The UN Tourism, in collaboration with Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, will host the UN Tourism Global Forum on Urban Tourism in Tehran from June 24 to 25.
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2025-05-10 17:52
By Afshin Majlesi
Iran’s Kandelous turns folk tale into a tourism asset
KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) - The bizarre tale of “Mina and the Leopard” is a cherished oral legend from the village of Kandelous, nestled in Iran’s northern Mazandaran province.
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2025-05-09 17:21
By Afshin Majlesi
Preserving the past, building the future: Kandelous and the path to sustainable tourism
KANDELOUS (Mazandaran province) – Nestled in the heart of Iran’s Alborz mountain range and just 35 kilometers from the Caspian Sea, the ancient village of Kandelous offers an authentic rural escape for those in search of tradition, tranquility, and natural beauty.
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2025-04-25 16:55
Kandelous: a living museum of history, nature, and cultural preservation
TEHRAN - Nestled in the breathtaking Mazandaran province, northern Iran, Kandelous village stands as a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and natural beauty.
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2025-04-21 17:10
Hasanlu village to be nominated for UN label as premier destination
TEHRAN - The ancient village of Hasanlu in northwest Iran is nearing completion of its dossier for inscription as one of the Best Tourism Villages, a prestigious label given by UN Tourism.
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2025-04-14 17:19
Iran advances cultural diplomacy at UAE investment forum
TEHRAN – Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, has emphasized the strategic significance of Iran’s participation in the Annual Investment Meeting (AIM) Congress 2025, held last week in the United Arab Emirates. In a recent statement, the minister described the event as a vital platform for advancing Iran’s cultural diplomacy and promoting the country’s rich civilizational identity on the global stage.
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2025-03-14 17:46
Iran to host largest eco-tourism gathering in May
TEHRAN - Iran is set to host its largest eco-tourism gathering on May 21 (“Ordibehesht 31”), bringing together hundreds of eco-lodge managers, government officials, and international representatives to celebrate and promote sustainable tourism.
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2025-03-03 17:48
UN Tourism chief highlights Iran’s role in travel industry
TEHRAN – UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has emphasized the need to enhance cooperation with Iran to foster sustainable development in the tourism industry.
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2025-01-25 17:54
UN Tourism chief visits Iran’s pavilion at FITUR 2025
TEHRAN - Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, formerly known as UNWTO, visited the Iranian pavilion during the opening of the 45th International Tourism Trade Fair aka FITUR 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
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2024-11-13 17:57
Esfahak named one of UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages for 2024
TEHRAN – The historical village of Esfahak, nestled in Iran’s South Khorasan province, has achieved international recognition by being named one of the Best Tourism Villages for 2024 by UN Tourism.
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2024-10-14 17:26
Bahrain to host UN World Forum on gastronomy tourism
TEHRAN - The 9th edition of the UN World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism will take place in Manama, Bahrain, from November 18 to 19.
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2024-09-28 17:33
Iranian minister, UN Tourism chief discuss mutual cooperation
TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has met with UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili.
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2024-08-28 18:31
Restoration efforts underway in Kandovan ahead of UN registration anniversary
TEHRAN - Restoration work has begun in Kandovan, a historic village known for its unique cone-shaped, stone-carved houses, as part of efforts to eliminate unauthorized architectural interventions and enhance the village’s visual harmony.
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2024-08-10 18:15
Eastern Iranian villages nominated for UNESCO label
TEHRAN – Three villages in Iran’s South Khorasan Province have been selected to vie with other candidates for UNESCO’s “Best Tourism Villages” in 2025.
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2024-06-23 17:26
Sustainable rural tourism high on agenda, says deputy minister
TEHRAN – Deputy Tourism Minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian has emphasized the importance of developing rural tourism in a way that minimizes environmental, social, and cultural drawbacks.
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2024-05-21 17:40
Empowering rural communities: UN Tourism launches STAR assessment tool
TEHRAN – Aimed to boost sustainable tourism in rural areas, UN Tourism has launched the UN Tourism Self-assessment Tool to Assist Rural Destinations, known as STAR.
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2024-05-21 09:47
UN Tourism Chief offers condolences following demise of President Raisi in helicopter crash
TEHRAN – The UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has sent a condolence message to Iran over the death of President Ebrahim Raisi and his companions in a helicopter crash on Sunday.
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2024-04-13 18:01
Iran’s rural tourism: eight villages vie for UN recognition
TEHRAN – As this year’s UN Tourism deadline to submit applications for the best tourism villages evaluation draws near [April 24], Iran has nominated eight most qualified villages to vie for global recognition.
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2024-03-29 07:47
Fahraj chosen as target village for rural tourism
TEHRAN - In a recent announcement by Mohammad-Ali Shahhosseini, the Deputy for Economic and Tourism Affairs of the Yazd Governorate, Fahraj village has been designated as a target village for rural tourism.
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2024-03-06 18:08
Eying a UN label, Bisheh to host festival dedicated to nature lovers
TEHRAN – Iran’s Bisheh, which is nominated for UN Tourism’s list of the best tourism villages, is set to host a special festival intended to promote its tourist appeal for nature lovers.
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2024-01-31 17:33
Iran to implement visa waiver for 32 countries on Feb. 4
TEHRAN – Iran’s unilateral abolition of visa requirements for citizens of 32 countries is set to take effect on February 4.
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2024-01-28 18:49
UNWTO transforms into ‘UN Tourism’ to signal a new era
TEHRAN - The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is embracing a transformative era as it unveils its new name and brand: UN Tourism.
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2024-01-28 18:23
UN Tourism chief welcomes Iran’s decision to abolish visas for 33 countries
TEHRAN – Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, formerly (UNWTO), has warmly welcomed Iran’s decision to cancel visas with 33 countries, expressing optimism about a vibrant future for tourism for the ancient country.
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2024-01-19 17:35
UNWTO to highlight investments, sustainable tourism, and collaboration
TEHRAN – The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is set to make a significant impact at FITUR 2024, the leading travel and tourism trade fair, taking place in Madrid from January 24 to 28.
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2024-01-13 17:51
Varkaneh Village, stone homes & natural beauty await
TEHRAN -- When you step into the village of Varkaneh, you may feel a fundamental difference because its houses, streets, and everything else are made and adorned with stone.
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2024-01-03 17:47
By Afshin Majlesi
From preservation to prosperity: CEO unveils Isfahan’s restoration strategy
ISFAHAN - Mohammad-Ali Izadkhasti, the CEO of Isfahan’s Urban Revitalization Organization, recently spoke to the Tehran Times about the organization’s commitment to reviving Isfahan’s rich historical fabric.
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2023-12-19 18:09
Comprehensive atlas of gastronomy tourism unveiled
TEHRAN – A comprehensive atlas of gastronomy tourism in Iran was unveiled in a ceremony held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts on Monday.
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2023-12-09 21:45
UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili invited to Tehran tourism fair
TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has invited Zurab Pololikashvili, the secretary-general of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), to attend Tehran’s international tourism fair scheduled for February 2024.
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2023-12-01 17:35
Ardabil set to enrich tourism circuit
TEHRAN – Ardabil province in northwest Iran is set to diversify its rural tourism by adding new destinations.