Tourism ministry’s budget seen to rise by 11.8%

TEHRAN – The budget bill for the next Iranian calendar year (to start March 20, 2020) has proposed 13 trillion rials (about $310 million at the official rate of 42,000 rials) for the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, an increase of 11.8 percent compared with the current year’s budget.

UNWTO ready to help Iran develop comprehensive tourism plan

TEHRAN - The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) is ready to extend cooperation with Iran in order to help the country develop a comprehensive tourism plan, UNWTO advisor Marcello Notarianni said on Saturday.

Tehran, Bishkek agree to ease visa rules, resume direct flights

TEHRAN – Iran and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to facilitate visa issuance and resume direct flights by the end of the current Iranian month of Azar (Dec. 21), YJC quoted Iran’s deputy transport minister Shahram Adamnejad as saying on Wednesday.

By Palash Ghosh

Iran tourism: Sector may get huge boost from China in defiance of U.S. sanctions

Despite the imposition of U.S. sanctions on various sectors of its economy, Iran is enjoying something of a boom in its tourism industry – with China possibly preparing to play a big role.

International arrivals in Iran reach 6.7 million since March

TEHRAN – Some 6.7 million foreign nationals have visited Iran since the beginning of the current Iranian calendar year (March 21), IRNA reported.

Iran starts issuing electronic visas for Pakistani citizens

TEHRAN - Iran has launched an e-visa system for Pakistani citizens in order to facilitate their travels through abolishing old-fashioned paper visas.

Iranian, Chinese provinces seeking closer tourism ties

TEHRAN – The Iranian province of Isfahan and the Chinese province of Guizhou have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to lay the ground for deepening tourism ties.

Tehran welcomes Beijing's initiative to revive glory of ancient Silk Road

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan has said Iran backs China’s initiative for reviving the glory of ancient Silk Road, which existed for thousands of years, passing through many different empires, kingdoms, reigns and societies throughout history.

How to explore the tundra: routes and ideas

A trip to the tundra will definitely make for an unforgettable once-in-a-lifetime experience. We have compiled a list of accessible and interesting places to visit in Russia, where you can explore the real tundra. Let’s get started, or as the Russians say — Poekhali!

Tehran, Beijing hold enormous potential for tourism co-op: minister

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Thursday called for tapping into Iran-China tourism capacity, which he referred to it as “enormous”, Fars reported on Friday. 

Nakhchivan to lift visa requirements for Iranian travelers

TEHRAN – The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is to waive visa requirements for tourists from Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Iran at the height of travel season

TEHRAN – Perhaps it is tough to define a best time for visiting Iran, which is known as a four-season country, I mean spring, summer, fall and winter; each having its own charms and travel lovers.

More Russian travelers getting interested in Iran: ATOR

TEHRAN – Iran, as an open-air museum of cultural heritage, is steadily attracting the attention of more Russians, Maya Lomidze, president of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), has said.

Turkish arrivals in Iran rising

TEHRAN - Iran’s deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri has said the number of Turkish arrivals in Iran has increased by 35 percent over the past year.

Kazakhstan considering to ease visa rules for Iranians

TEHRAN - Kazakhstan is considering to ease visa rules for Iranian traders and travelers as of the next spring, Kazakh ambassador to Tehran Askhat Orazbay has said.

Iran, Armenia seek to deepen tourism ties through signed agreements

TEHRAN – A delegation of Armenian economic, tourism and media representatives has arrived in Iran, exploring ways to deepen bilateral ties thanks to previous agreements signed by the two neighbors over the past three decades.

Chinese arrivals on the rise in Iran

TEHRAN - The number of Chinese arrivals in Iran has increased as of late June since the country allowed visa-free entry for visitors from China, deputy tourism minister has said.

Tehran, Bern ink MOU on tourism co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and Switzerland have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to expand cooperation in the tourism sector, CHTN reported.

Tehran ready to relax visa policy for Kyrgyz tourists

TEHRAN – Iran is ready to ease visa regulations for Kyrgyzstani nationals in a bid to boost tourism, First Vice-President Es’haq Jahangiri has said.

Tehran, Muscat in talks to waive visas for visitors from Iran

TEHRAN - Iran has officially lifted the visa requirement for Omani nationals and now the two countries are in talks to do the same for Iranian travelers.

UN committee postponed after Iranian diplomat opposes U.S. visa restriction

TEHRAN – Chairman of the 6th committee of UN General Assembly ordered cancelation of the meeting after Iran’s representative at the committee Ali Nasimfar voiced strong dissatisfaction about Washington’s restriction imposed on the Iranian delegation during the 74th session of the UN annual meeting in September.

30,000 Iranians obtained visas for Spain in 2018, envoy says

TEHRAN – Some 30,000 Iranians got visas for Spain in 2018, Madrid’s ambassador to Tehran has said.

Iran temporarily lifts visa requirement for Iraqi nationals

TEHRAN – Iran’s embassy in Baghdad has announced that Iraqi nationals can visit Iran without a visa from October 24 to December 27, 2019.

Iran maintains visa waiver program for Omani nationals

TEHRAN – The cabinet of ministers on Wednesday approved to maintain a visa waiver program for Omani nationals which had been ratified last September for a one-year period.

Qatari nationals can obtain visas upon arrival in Iran: report

TEHRAN – Doha has announced that Qatari nationals who are willing to visit Iran can obtain visas upon arrival in the country.

Chinese, Hong Kong travel agencies to launch fam tour across Iran

TEHRAN - A group of travel marketers and tour operators form southern China and Hong Kong will soon launch a weeklong familiarization tour across Iran with the aim of acquainting with its tourist destinations.

Official borders open to foreign travelers without passport stamps

TEHRAN – All Iranian border crossings let foreign nationals in without passport stamps according to a presidential decree that orders for the waiver of physical stamping on travelers’ passports upon entering or leaving the country, Interior Ministry’s spokesman has said.

Tehran, Beijing stress expansion of tourism ties

TEHRAN – Iran tourism chief Ali-Asghar Mounesan on Wednesday met with Chinese Ambassador to Tehran Chang Hua, stressing the need for expansion of cooperation to exchange more travelers.

Chinese envoy says wants to be ‘tourism ambassador’ for Iran

TEHRAN - Chinese Ambassador to Iran Chang Hua has said that he wants to be “a tourism ambassador” for Iran in order to help expand bilateral ties.

Iran waives visas for Hongkongers

TEHRAN – The Iranian government has waived visa requirements for visitors from Hong Kong, a measure also adopted for Chinese passport holders earlier this year.