Iran’s foreign arrivals up 52.5% y/y

TEHRAN - The number of international tourists visiting Iran surged 52.5 percent in the past Iranian calendar year 1397 (ended on March 20) from a year earlier, deputy tourism chief has said.

Iran to host 2nd ECO conference, exhibit on health tourism

TEHRAN – Iran will be playing host to the 2nd International Health Tourism Conference of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which will be held in Ardebil from June 18 to 20, Mehr reported.

Fresh restorations to begin on Hindu Temple

TEHRAN – A fresh round of restoration work is to commence on the Hindu Temple in Bandar Abbas, southern Iran, ISNA quoted a local tourism official as saying on Wednesday.

A spring day at Iranian Art Museum Garden  

Photos depict people reveling in bright weather at the Iranian Art Museum Garden in northern Tehran on March 21, 2019, which marks the first day of the current Iranian year.

University of Tehran to host 6th Startup Weekend on tourism

TEHRAN – The 6th Startup Weekend, which has adopted “Sustainable Tourism” as its focal theme, is to be hosted by the Faculty of Entrepreneurship of the University of Tehran.

Half a million visits to Sa’dabad museums registered in Noruz

TEHRAN – Iran tourism body has registered over half a million visits to museums at Tehran’s Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5).

By Moslem Foroudi

The story of 4000-year-old cypress in Abarkouh

A 4000-year-old cypress in Abarkouh is a must-see attraction while visiting the central Iranian city. The evergreen tree is inscribed on the National Heritage List.

1.1m visited Sistan-Baluchestan during Noruz

TEHRAN – Over 1.1 million visited Sistan-Baluchetan province during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5), which shows 19 percent increase in comparison to the same period last year, its governor general has said.

Japanese tour operators weighing Iran’s Kerman as a new destination

TEHRAN – A number of Japanese tour operators and ecotourism associates have recently visited natural attractions in Iran’s Kerman province, mulling over it to become a new destination.

Outbound tourism slumps by 45% over Noruz holidays: official

TEHRAN - Iran’s outbound tourism fell by 45 percent during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5) in comparison to the same period last year, a tourism official has said.

Niavaran complex hosts 8k visitors during Noruz

TEHRAN – A total of 80,835 people toured Tehran’s Niavaran Cultural-Historical Complex during the New Year (Noruz) holidays (March 21-April 5).

Bagh-e Narenjestan: A must-see attraction while in Shiraz

TEHRAN - Set within a gorgeous garden, Bagh-e Narenjestan, which encircles a scenic pavilion, was built for the wealthy and powerful Mohammad-Ali Khan Qavam al-Molk in the late 19th century in Shiraz, southern Iran.

Over 8.5 million visited Iran’s heritage museums during Noruz

TEHRAN – More than 8.5 million people paid visit to heritage museums and historical sites across Iran during the New Year (Noruz) holidays, which ended on April 2.

Iran estimating flood damage to its historical sites, monuments

TEHRAN – A number of Iran’s age-old cultural heritage sites and monuments have been affected by heavy rainfall, flash floods and extreme weather in various parts of the country in the past weeks.

By Afshin Majlesi

Travel in Iran grows over Persian New Year holidays

TEHRAN - People in Iran made 74 million overnight stays in their domestic trips during the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays, an increase of 20 percent year on year, Iran tourism chief announced on Sunday.

‘U.S. sanctions failed to lessen foreign arrivals to Iran’

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian tourism official has said that U.S.-led sanctions, targeting Iran’s economy, has failed to lessen foreign arrivals to the Islamic Republic.

By Afshin Majlesi

 Solid growth: A review of Iran’s tourism in 1397

TEHRAN – How Iran’s tourism industry has performed over the current Iranian calendar year 1397 (ending on March 20)? Well, according to data compiled by the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, it has experienced a solid growth.

By Afshin Majlesi

Lipar, a small lake in pink

TEHRAN – Lipar, a small lake which usually turns pink, is an off-the-radar tourist destination in Iran, which has never been introduced completely!

Paris-Isfahan-Samarkand tourist route proposed

TEHRAN – Head of Uzbekistan Center of Islamic Civilizations has proposed stablishing a touristic itinerary, which connects Paris to Isfahan and Samarkand, IRNA reported.

First Tehran-Hamedan passenger train inaugurated

TEHRAN – The first passenger train from Tehran to Hamedan was inaugurated on Wednesday, establishing a new link between the two Iranian cities, ISNA reported.

By Moslem Foroudi

Abarkouh hidden pearl

Yazd- Abarkouh, a city with a thousand years of splendid background, is located in southwest of Yazd province, with an area of 5,641 square kilometers.

Iran, Iraq likely to relax visa rules to boost investment, tourism

TEHRAN – Iran and Iraq are working out an agreement to ease some visa rules in an effort to boost investment and tourism, IRNA reported.

Kish sets sights on more travelers, intl. events

TEHRAN – As an established leisure destination, Iran’s Kish Island, plans to attract more travelers by playing host to further regional and international events.

Poets’ Mausoleum, a prime cultural destination

TEHRAN – Poets’ Mausoleum or Maqbaratoshoara is a prime cultural destination for travelers to Tabriz. It attracts a great number of Iranian and foreign visitors interested in literature and art.

Mazandaran villages ready to host Noruz holidaymakers

TEHRAN – Necessary arrangements for hosting travelers during Noruz (New Year holidays, starting March 21) have been made in 208 villages across Mazandaran province, northern Iran, a local official has said, IRNA reported.

Tehran, Tokyo discuss organizing cultural events

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief and Japan’s ambassador to Tehran on Tuesday discussed organizing joint cultural events by the two countries, IRNA reported.

Water flowing again into Zayandehrud river in Noruz

TEHRAN – Zayandehrud river, which was once flowing in central province of Isfahan, will be filled with water again in Noruz holidays (the Iranian New Year celebration, starting March 21), Tasnim news agency reported on Monday.

Serbia planning for easier travel to Iran: envoy

TEHRAN – Belgrade ambassador to Tehran, Dragan Todorovic, has said that he is planning to take measures to make traveling to Iran easier for Serbian nationals, ILNA reported on Friday.

A day of pilgrimage to Shah-e Cheragh

TEHRAN – Shah-e Cheragh (“King of Light”) is a major mausoleum and pilgrimage site in the touristic city of Shiraz, southern Iran.

By Afshin Majlesi

Isfahan: Why it’s great to wandering about

TEHRAN – Soaked in a rich history, Isfahan was once a crossroad of international trade and diplomacy in Iran and now it is one of Iran’s top tourist destinations for good reasons.