Over 1,400 sites in Sistan-Baluchestan on national heritage list

TEHRAN – Over 1,400 historical and archaeological sites, scattered across Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchestan, have been inscribed on the National Heritage List, provincial tourism chief has said.

Hamedan to host travel, handicrafts startups

TEHRAN – Hamedan will play host to an expo of travel and handicrafts startups in November concurrent with the 40th World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Plenary Session of the Affiliate Members.

Iran’s five-month outbound tourism falls 11 percent

TEHRAN – Iran’s outbound tourism fell 11 percent during the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, a tourism official has said.

Foreign arrivals in Sistan-Baluchestan up 23% in 6 months

TEHRAN – The number of international travelers to Iran’s southeastern Sistan-Baluchestan province grew by 23 percent during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21) compared to the same period last year, IRNA reported.

Tabriz hosting intl. conference on safeguarding cultural heritage

TEHRAN – Iran’s city of Tabriz is playing host to an annual CIAV (International Committee of Vernacular Architecture / Comite International d’Architecture Vernaculaire) international conference from October 1 to 3.

UN chief urges support for digital techs to boom tourism

TEHRAN - The secretary general of the United Nations has called for an international support for digital technologies which are suitable for tourism.

Khorasan Razavi hosts 730,000 foreign tourists in 5 months

TEHRAN – Khorasan Razavi province’s tourism chief has said 730,000 foreigners visited the northeastern province in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21).

Iran approves visa-free travel for Omani nationals

TEHRAN – The Iranian ambassador to Amman on Sunday said that the country has approved a visa waiver program for Omani nationals, IRNA reported.

Hottest place on earth: Iran to hold ultramarathon to promote tourism

TEHRAN – A number of national and international runners will compete in the 3rd Iranian Silk Road Ultramarathon to be held across Iran’s UNESCO-registered Lut Desert, known as one of the hottest places on earth.

Over 1,200 foreign tourists spectate Muharram rituals in Yazd

TEHRAN – A total of 1,235 international tourists visited Iran’s central Yazd province in the first ten days of the month of Muharram (Sep. 11-20), during which millions of Iranians commemorated martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (AS) and his loyal companions.

By Marjohn Sheikhi

Currency slump gives rise to visits from neighbors, sanctions wane visits from EU

TEHRAN– The fall in Iran’s national currency value has attracted a new wave of visitors from neighboring countries, particularly Iraq. According to recent figures, the arrival of foreign tourists to Iran has had a 45% increase in a five-month period compared to last year.

Golestan province to add 200 eco-lodges to buttress tourism

TEHRAN – Golestan province’s governor has said that 200 eco-lodges will be opened to the public during the next couple of months to cater to the hospitality industry in northern Iran. 

Iran’s outbound passengers cut by 8.6 percent y/y

TEHRAN – The number of Iran’s outbound passengers has slumped by 8.6 percent during the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, Mehr reported.

Iran proposes having tourism exhibit in Japan

TEHRAN – Tehran’s ambassador to Tokyo on Saturday proposed holding an exhibit of Iran’s handicrafts and tourism potential in Japan.

 “The land of turquoise-colored waters”

Photo depicts travelers reveling in natural sceneries adjacent to Atashgah village in Lordegan county of Chaharmahal-Bakhtiari province, western Iran, September 9, 2018. 

Provincial tourism train makes debut in Kerman

TEHRAN – The Islamic Republic of Iran Railways has launched a tourism train   service across the southeastern Kerman province, ISNA reported on Thursday.

Iranian companies to partake in Paris tourism fair

TEHRAN – Several Iranian travel businesses and exhibitors are scheduled to participate in the 40th International French travel market (IFTM Top Resa 2018), a four-day tourism exhibit running at the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles from September 25 to 28.

Iran’s 5-month intl. tourist arrivals up 45% y/y

TEHRAN - The number of international tourists visiting Iran surged 45 percent in the first five months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21) from a year earlier, tourism chief said on Wednesday.

Agreement inked in favor of travel startups

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism body has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the labor ministry on Monday in a bid to strengthen support for tourism startups.

East Azarbaijan province to hold competition for tourism startups

TEHRAN – Iran’s East Azarbaijan province will organize a tourism startup competition, which will be held in its capital Tabriz from September 5 to 7. 

Air ticket prices still high: tourism chief 

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism chief has said that ticket prices for domestic flights are still steep, warning that it could inflict damage to the tourism industry. 

Asia Cooperation Dialogue meeting opens in Hamedan

TEHRAN – Amid hopes to provide ample opportunities for development of tourism in Hamedan, the conference of Asia Cooperation Dialogue, titled “ACD Tourism Capital, 2018”, opened in this ancient city in western Iran on Monday.

Azerbaijani tourist arrivals in Iran up 31.2% in Jan.-Oct.

TEHRAN – Over 600 thousand Azerbaijani nationals visited Iran during the first seven months of the year, increasing 31.2 percent from a year ago, IRNA reported.

Lufthansa, Austrian and Turkish airlines continue flying to Tehran

TEHRAN – Lufthansa, Austrian and Turkish airlines along with several other international carriers have no plan yet to halt flying to Iran as news broke that three European airliners are to suspend services to the country.

 Tourism in Hamedan is on the upswing

Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization sees a bright future for Hamedan province that attracted a substantial number of visitors in the first four months of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 21).

Iran to be guest of honor at Vienna travel fair

TEHRAN - Iran has been designated as a guest of honor for the Ferien Messe Wien, an international fair for holidays, travel, and leisure, running in Vienna from January 10 to 13, 2019.

Education Ministry gives initial approval for winter break

TEHRAN – Iran’s Ministry of Education has given initial approval to bids from tourism authorities to put winter holidays on the school calendar, ILNA reported.

 Mo’aven al-Molk, a ‘must-see’ for travelers to Kermanshah

TEHRAN – Many visitors to the Takieh Mo’aven al-Molk, a sacred Shia shrine in Kermanshah, have highly recommended it as a ‘must-see’ destination for other travelers to western Iran.