Tasting chikoo, papaya and guava; a unique experience for tourists in Darak Village

TEHRAN – Darak Village, a nominee for the UN Tourism Best Tourism Villages 2026 program and located in Zarabad county, Sistan-Baluchestan province, has recently played host to a number of tourists, travel bloggers, content creators and social media influencers who traveled to the region to explore its unique tourism potential, a tourism official told the Tehran Times on Tuesday.

New hotel management schools planned for Kish and Anzali as Tehran admissions begin

TEHRAN – Student admissions officially opened on Tuesday at Tehran's Hotel Management School, while plans are underway to establish similar institutions on Kish Island and in Bandar Anzali, the head of the Tourism Group of the Social Security Organization (HEGTA) said.

Nazr-e Aloofeh in Qaleh Bala: a living tradition of wildlife conservation and community solidarity

Nestled on the edge of Touran National Park in Semnan province, about 140 kilometers southeast of Shahroud, Qaleh Bala is a village known for its stepped architecture, striking landscapes, and close connection to nature. Often described as the gateway to Touran, the village is not only valued for its natural beauty but also for its rich cultural traditions that continue to shape the lives of its residents.

Iran plans marine tourism development along southern coastal corridor

TEHRAN – Iran has adopted a new strategy to expand marine tourism along its southern coastline, focusing on a tourism corridor stretching from Makran to Abadan, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Saturday.

Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari pursues UNESCO recognition for nomadic migration tradition

TEHRAN – Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province is pursuing a UNESCO registration of its nomadic migration tradition and is prepared to support efforts aimed at securing the ancient practice, a provincial heritage official said.

Lorestan retains leading role in Iran’s national heritage registration: provincial tourism chief

TEHRAN  – Lorestan province remains one of Iran’s most significant cultural heritage regions, holding records in national heritage registrations, archaeological sites, and historic bridge architecture, according to provincial heritage officials. 

By Hanie Shahrabi

How Persian carpets weave time into art

TEHRAN – Persian carpets are often introduced through familiar ideas: tradition, craftsmanship, heritage, and identity. While these remain essential, they do not fully explain why these objects continue to resonate, specifically with contemporary global audience increasingly attentive to timeless art.

Joint initiative planned to revive rural economy through tourism, digital connectivity

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said on Saturday that his ministry and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology are preparing a joint program aimed at creating jobs, expanding tourism and encouraging reverse migration to rural areas.

Darak, where tourists rediscover coastal heritage, tropical agriculture and environment

Darak, Iran — Tourists joined local residents and community leaders in a unique cultural and environmental tourism event in Darak village, one of the most remarkable destinations along Iran’s Makran Coast.

Pamnar’s landscape highlights potential for sustainable tourism and scientific research

TEHRAN – The mountainous region of Pamnar in Iran’s Khuzestan province is gaining attention for its geological significance, ecological diversity and potential for sustainable tourism development, according to geologist and tour guide Ali Habibnejad.

Minister calls for specialized handicrafts centers to boost urban economies

TEHRAN - Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has called for the establishment of specialized handicrafts centers across major Iranian cities, describing them as a crucial missing link in the marketing and commercialization of products created by artisans and craftspeople.

Traditional cuisine seen as one of key drivers of tourism growth in Yazd province

TEHRAN - Officials in Iran’s central province of Yazd have highlighted the growing importance of traditional cuisine in strengthening tourism and supporting local economic development, saying that promoting indigenous foods can help preserve cultural heritage while attracting more visitors to the region.

Mesr village nears global recognition as model of sustainable desert tourism

TEHRAN – The desert village of Mesr, located in Khur and Biabanak county in Iran’s central Isfahan province, has successfully passed the preliminary stages of international evaluation and is now on the verge of being included in the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) program recognizing the Best Tourism Villages worldwide.

By Afshin Majlesi

Riab, an example of heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and community participation

TEHRAN – The historical village of Riab in eastern Iran is emerging as a leading example of heritage preservation, sustainable tourism and community participation as it seeks international recognition through the United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) Best Tourism Villages initiative.

Qaleh Bala: Where community-based governance aligns with wildlife conservation

TEHRAN - The village of Qaleh Bala, located at the “Golden Gate” of Touran National Park, has become a shining model of participatory governance and community-based environmental conservation in Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Bajestan: A quiet treasure beyond Iran’s tourist trail

TEHRAN - Set against the plain beauty of eastern Iran’s desert landscapes, the ancient city of Bajestan remains one of the lesser-known destinations of the country, despite possessing a remarkable combination of history, architecture, and natural scenery.

By Afshin Majlesi

Eco-lodges offer tourists a window into traditional rural life

TEHRAN - In the mountainous villages, desert settlements and forested regions of Iran, a growing network of eco-lodges has become more than a form of rural accommodation.

Shaneh Tarash revives traditional wooden comb craft to boost rural tourism

TEHRAN - A five-day workshop aimed at reviving the traditional craft of wooden comb making has been held in the village of Shaneh Tarash in northern Iran, local tourism officials said, as authorities seek to preserve indigenous handicrafts and strengthen community-based tourism.

Ilam handicrafts exhibit in Iraq highlights cross-border cultural ties

TEHRAN - An exhibition showcasing handicrafts from Iran’s western province of Ilam was held recently in the Iraqi city of Kut, drawing strong public interest and underscoring growing cultural and economic ties between the neighboring regions, a provincial official said.

151 Iranian artifacts to return from China after ‘Land of Kindness’ exhibit

TEHRAN – Following an extended loan exhibition in China aimed at strengthening cultural ties, Iran is arranging the return of 151 artifacts to the country, a senior cultural heritage official announced on Saturday.

Chinese audience embraces Iran’s Golestan Palace in TV program

TEHRAN - A video showcasing Iran’s UNESCO-listed Golestan Palace has drawn engagement from Chinese audiences after being broadcast by China’s state-owned broadcaster China Global Television Network as part of a program marking International Museum Day.

European tourists shift travel plans closer to home amid West Asia conflict

TEHRAN - European tourists are increasingly choosing destinations closer to home as conflict in West Asia raises security concerns and drives up the cost of long-haul travel, affecting tourism flows across parts of Asia and the Middle East while benefiting southern European countries, industry officials and analysts said.