Meybod worthy of being world city for Zilou, WCC-APR director says

TEHRAN - World Crafts Council-Asia Pacific Region Director Ghada Hijavi has said that Iran’s Meybod deserves bearing the tile “World City for Zilou”, which the council bestowed it in 2018.

Iranian president inaugurates new airport terminal

TEHRAN – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani on Tuesday inaugurated a new passenger terminal within the Imam Khomeini International Airport in southern Tehran.

Tchogha Zanbil: World’s best surviving example of Elamite architecture

TEHRAN – UNESCO-listed Tchogha Zanbil is widely known as the world’s best surviving example of Elamite architecture. The ruined ziggurat stands in Khuzestan province, southwest Iran. It was made a UNESCO site in 1979.

Rouhani calls for development of tourism sector

TEHRAN –President Hassan Rouhani has called for the development of tourism sector as a need to expand economy, create job opportunities and boost friendship between cultures and societies.

Chabahar to host surf festival

TEHRAN – A major surf festival will be commenced in Iran’s Chabahar on June 20, with the aim of attracting more travelers to the port city, which is located in the southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province.

Some 600,000 visited “The Splendor of Asia” within a month

TEHRAN – Some 600,000 people have so far toured the major exhibit “The Splendor of Asia” within less than a month from its opening ceremony at Beijing’s National Museum of China, Mehr reported on Saturday.

Foreign arrivals in Mashhad on the rise

TEHRAN – The number of foreign arrivals in Mashhad has been rising over the past couple of years, said Gholamabbas Arbab-Khales, the head of Foreign Ministry’s Mission in East and North Iran.

Shiraz meeting explores further cooperation with Hungary on tourism

TEHRAN – On Sunday, tens of Iranian tour operators and travel associates met with their Hungarian fellows in Shiraz, exchanging views on how to deepen cooperation in the tourism sector.

Iran, Turkey to resume passenger train services

TEHRAN – Iran and Turkey are scheduled to recommence passenger train services as of late June, the deputy director of the Islamic Republic of Iran Railways (IRIR) has said.

UNWTO seeks to cement sports tourism sector

TEHRAN - The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) seeks to cement sports tourism sector, setting up an initiative that is aimed to identify projects and innovations that can transform sports tourism sector in the near future.

Rosewater festivals attract travelers to northern Iranian villages

TEHRAN - Every year, by early June, rosewater festivals take center stage in Gildeh and several neighboring villages, attracting hundreds of travelers to Shaft county of the northern Gilan province.

67 fields of handicraft being practiced in Kashan

TEHRAN – Of 290 fields of handicraft, which are known in Iran, 67 are currently being practiced in Kashan, tourism chief of the oasis city said on Thursday.

Suitcase trade exports of handicrafts fetches Iran $99m in year

TEHRAN – Iran earned some $99 million from exporting handicrafts via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and tax-free transfer) during the past Iranian calendar year 1397 (ended March 20), the deputy director of the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, said on Monday, CHTN reported.

World Crafts Council assessing registration of historic marketplace in Qazvin

TEHRAN – The World Crafts Council - Asia Pacific Region (WCC-APR) is assessing possible registration of the 19th-century Sa’d al-Saltaneh marketplace, which is located adjacent to a historical caravanserai of the same name in Iran’s Qazvin province.

Meybod hosting regional handicrafts exhibit

TEHRAN – Iran’s Meybod, which is a world city of handicrafts, is hosting a crafts exhibition in which craftspeople from ten provinces are participating.

Iran, Austria explore ways to expand tourism ties

TEHRAN – Delegations of Iranian and Australian officials as well as experts exchanged views on how to broaden tourism ties in a three-day meeting held in Vienna.

Millennia-old plant fossils discovered in northwest Iran

TEHRAN – Millennia-old fossil remains of various plants have recently been discovered in Meshkin Shahr county, northwest Iran, CHTN reported on Wednesday.

By Marjan Sheikhi

For lovers of Persian handicrafts: ‘Parvaneh’ Friday Bazaar is made for you!

TEHRAN (MNA) – If you are a tourist in Tehran yearning to see the best and the most of Iranian handicrafts in one place, I suggest you pay a visit to the ‘Friday Bazaar’ at Parvaneh Parking Garage on Jomhouri Street.

Tourism contributes $11.8b to Iran’s GDP: Mounesan

TEHRAN – Iran’s earnings from tourism contributed $11.8b to its gross domestic product (GDP) in the past Iranian calendar year 1397 (ended March 20), Tourism Chief Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Tuesday.

Subatan highlands, a heaven for hikers, nature lovers and off-road adventurers

TEHRAN – Subatan highlands, popularly known as a “heaven” in northwestern Iran, is also a heaven for trekking, hiking and adventurous backpacking trips. It’s also an amazing off-road destination.

Some 70,000 artisans, craftspeople live in Isfahan province

TEHRAN – Some 70,000 artisans and craftspeople have so far been identified across the central province of Isfahan. 

IKIA new terminal’s operational readiness tested

TEHRAN – On Saturday, Imam Khomeini Intl. Airport (IKIA) officially concluded Operational Readiness and Airport Transfer (ORAT) in its newly-constructed Salam Terminal ahead of its inauguration in the near future.

Iran to highlight tourist attractions at Erbil fair

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian travel-associated businesses and tour operators will promote travel destinations, medical tourism, Persian handicrafts and indigenous traditions at Erbil Expo 2019.

Beat the summer heat in Sarein, the city of magical springs

TEHRAN – For many Iranians, summer vacations are to be started as schools close. Some look to beat the heat at the beach, inside of an air-conditioned hotel or museum or at a water park, while others look to go to a cool rural destination to escape the rising temperatures and humidity altogether.

Ardebil to host chamomile harvesting festival

TEHRAN – Iran’s popular holiday destination, Fandoqlu Forest, known for flower farming and cool weather, will host its 5th National Festival of Chamomile Flowers this month.

Over 31,000 visit Kashan in a day

TEHRAN – Over 31,000 visited Iran’s historical city of Kashan on Wednesday, a public holiday celebrating Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan.

Greece, England and Malaysia to attend ECO health tourism conference in Iran

TEHRAN – Several countries including Greece, England and Malaysia have announced readiness to attend the 2nd International Health Tourism Conference of Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), which will be held in Iran’s Ardebil from June 18 to 20, IRIB reported.

Six places to visit in Hamedan

TEHRAN – The west central Iranian city of Hamedan, never falls short of offering cultural heritage sites to its visitors. Scenic natural landscapes, traditional restaurants, public gardens and colorful outdoor markets and more importantly, its hospitable people make for an unexpected slice of the city.

Tehran street designated as accessible tourism destination for all 

TEHRAN – Si-e Tir, a historical stone-paved one-way street in downtown Tehran, has been designated as an accessible tourism destination for all people, deputy tourism chief has said.

Iran showcasing tourism at China fair

TEHRAN – A number of Iranian travel-associated businesses, tour operators, artists and artisans represent the Islamic Republic at the CMT China, a fair for holidays and leisure, which opened in Nanjing on Friday.