'Smart, responsible traveling' should replace ‘do not travel' recommendations: tourism minister

TEHRAN – Iranian Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Ali Asghar Munesan has said that if coronavirus-related restrictions persist, the tourism industry of the country will suffer irreparable losses and many tourism insiders will be bankrupt, adding it’s time to replace “smart and responsible traveling” with “do not travel” recommendations.

By Afshin Majlesi

The future of travel in Iran

Ubiquitous face masks, partitions, social distances, customer-service protocols, not-yet-fulfilled refunds, and self-quarantined at home on a mass scale, as well as closed borders, canceled events, and changing policies challenge tourism industry insiders to forecast what the lingering impact of the novel coronavirus could be on the way we travel.

Four European countries set rules for inbound Iranian travelers 

TEHRAN – Although Iranian airlines have resumed their flights to some European countries following months of suspension over the coronavirus outbreak, there is still no possibility of unnecessary tourist trips to these countries and Schengen visas are not currently issued to Iranian citizens.

Tehran-Sulaymaniyah flights resumed after six-month halt

The service started again on August 30 by Mahan Air, a Tehran-based private airline. According to the flight schedule, the once-per-week service takes off on Sundays at 23:00 local time [from the Imam Khomeini International Airport based on permission issued by Iran Civil Aviation Organization] and it leaves the Sulaymaniyah International Airport for Tehran on 23:00 of the same day.

Nonzero: only 74 international travelers visit Iran during spring

TEHRAN – The number of foreign travelers to Iran has drastically plunged due to the global coronavirus pandemic as the Islamic Republic registered only 74 visits during the spring season.

IranAir to resume Tehran-Madrid flights after 17 years   

TEHRAN – The Iranian embassy in Spain has announced that the country’s flag carrier IranAir will resume flights after 17 years between Tehran and Madrid.

Turkish Airlines to resume flights to five Iranian cities, including Tehran

TEHRAN – Turkey's flag carrier Turkish Airlines has announced that it is scheduled to resume its flights to Tehran and four other major Iranian cities in September.

First Tehran-Vienna flight since COVID-19 outbreak scheduled for Saturday 

TEHRAN - Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known internationally as IranAir, is scheduled to resume flights to the Austrian capital, Vienna, following months of suspension over the coronavirus outbreak.

By Afshin Majlesi

20 wonderful, must-see cultural sites in Iran

If you ask foreign visitors to Iran about the most characteristic future they discovered during excursions in the ancient land, the most possible answers may be somewhat like these: “It is the friendliest country on Earth with loads of warm-hearted welcome!”; “It is the jewel in Islam’s crown in terms of architecture”; “Being home to fascinating cultural heritage sites”; or “a land where echoes of ancient civilizations still resonate down through the ages!”

Corona is a reality but it cannot stop traveling, tourism minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister on Tuesday said that it is true that the coronavirus pandemic is a [bitter] reality but it cannot bring traveling to a complete standstill.

Qatar Airways increases Doha-Shiraz flights

TEHRAN – Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, has increased its Doha-Shiraz flights from four times to seven times a week.

Kuwait Airways to resume Iran flights

TEHRAN - Kuwait Airways has scheduled to resume its service to and from Iran on August 1.

Coronavirus: Emirates reinstates flights to Tehran after six months halt

TEHRAN – Emirates has resumed its flights to/from the Iranian capital Tehran after some six months of halt over the coronavirus pandemic, which has dramatically lessened travels and air traffic in the global scene.

IranAir to resume Istanbul flights after five-month halt over virus pandemic

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known internationally as IranAir, is scheduled to resume Tehran-Istanbul flights following some five months of suspension over the outbreak of the coronavirus.

Iran’s flag carrier to launch Bojnurd-Ashgabat service

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier, IranAir, is going to operate round flights connecting Bojnurd, the capital of northeastern North Khorasan province to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, IRNA reported on Monday.

flydubai to resume Iran flights

TEHRAN – The “flydubai”, legally named Dubai Aviation Corporation, is scheduled to resume its Iran services as coronavirus-related restrictions are being eased across the globe.  

Iranian airlines start selling Tehran-Istanbul tickets

TEHRAN – Some Iranian airline companies have resumed selling tickers for Tehran-Istanbul flights, the secretary of the Association of Iranian Airlines has said.

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.

Iran likely to resume flights to Turkey on June 20 after 3-month suspension

TEHRAN – Flights to Turkey will likely be resumed on June 20 after nearly three months of suspension over the COVID-19 pandemic, a senior Iranian aviation official was quoted as saying by Press TV on Sunday.

Coronavirus: Iran preparing to reopen doors to foreign travelers

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism ministry has forecast that the country will start hosting foreign travelers as of mid-summer with the priority given to travelers from the neighboring countries.

COVID-19 slashes Iran’s airport passenger traffic by 80%

TEHRAN – Passenger traffic at Iranian airports was plunged by 80 percent in the first month of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20) due to the coronavirus pandemic, IRNA reported on Saturday.

IranAir to resume flights to Amsterdam after two months

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier Homa, known internationally as IranAir, is scheduled to resume flights to the Netherlands’ capital Amsterdam after international flights were halted two months ago.

Iran allocates $240m for compensating corona flight cancelations

TEHRAN  - The Iranian government has allocated 10 trillion rials (about $240 million (at the official rate of 42,000 rials) to help airliners refund the cost of flights, which have been canceled by the novel coronavirus.

By Afshin Majlesi

New year travels plunge amid virus outbreak

For many Iranians, the new year’s eve conjures up memories of holidays and traveling along dreamy beaches, silky warm seas, lush sceneries, and endless sunshine.

Italy extends visa for Iranians up to 60 days

TEHRAN – The Italian government has agreed to significantly extend short-term visas for visiting Iranians, saying they will have “no problem” to stay up to 60 days more after their visa expiration dates, Tehran’s embassy in Rome has said, IRNA reported.

IranAir resumes flights to Europe after temporary halt over coronavirus

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier, IranAir on Wednesday resumed flights to European destinations following a temporary suspension over the outbreak of the coronavirus, according to sources.

UAE issues flight permit to Iran till March 20

TEHRAN – The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which has suspended all flights to and from Iran over the outbreak of the new coronavirus, has issued a permit for operating flights to the Islamic Republic till March 20, Iran’s embassy in the UAE announced on Tuesday.

Domestic flights restricted to Iran’s Kish Island

TEHRAN – Domestic flights have been restricted to Iran’s Kish Island as coronavirus cases have mounted in the country.

Iran’s flag carrier launches Asaluyeh-Doha service 

TEHRAN – Iran’s flag carrier –IranAir – has launched new service connecting southwestern port city of Asaluyeh to Qatar’s capital, Doha, according to the Ministry of Transport and Urban Development’s portal.  

Tehran-Bishkek flight resumed after 12 years

TEHRAN – Iran and Kyrgyzstan have resumed flights after around 12 years halt, Mehr news agency reported.