Turkish tour operators participate in familiarization tour in Ardabil province

TEHRAN - A familiarization tour (fam tour) was held on Friday in Ardabil province for a group of Turkish tourism professionals, including tour operators and managers of travel agencies, aimed at showcasing the region’s tourism potential.

Zarif highlights Kish Island’s potential in Halal tourism

TEHRAN - Mohammad Javad Zarif, who served as Iranian foreign minister from 2013 to 2021, has emphasized the importance of promoting Kish Island’s strengths in the fields of Halal and targeted tourism, highlighting its potential to attract Muslim travelers.

Kandelous village in northern Iran implements accessible tourism measures

TEHRAN - Kandelous village in Mazandaran province has become one of Iran’s pioneering rural destinations to successfully implement “accessible tourism” initiatives, according to Mehdi Es’haqi, the deputy provincial tourism chief.

Iran’s “Land of Kindness” draws over 300,000 visitors in China

TEHRAN — The “Land of Kindness” exhibition, showcasing relics from Iranian museums, has attracted over 300,000 visitors in China and garnered more than 100 million views on social media platforms.

Iran records 7.3 million foreign arrivals last Persian year, deputy minister says

TEHRAN – Some 7.3 million foreign tourists visited Iran during the Persian year 1403, which ended on March 20, 2025, according to Iran’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey.

Archaeological survey reveals evidence of Paleolithic human presence in Kerman plain

TEHRAN - An archaeological team has uncovered evidence of continuous human presence in the central plains of Kerman, southern Iran, stretching from the Paleolithic period to modern times.

From Tehran to Guangzhou: Iranian relics on show at ‘Land of Kindness’

TEHRAN - The Guangdong Museum in Guangzhou is currently hosting the Iranian cultural relics exhibition “Land of Kindness”, offering visitors a rare glimpse into five millennia of Persian art, culture, and craftsmanship.

Restoration project launched in historical core of Tabriz

TEHRAN - A new project aimed at restoring and reorganizing parts of the historic core of Tabriz, once the capital of Persia during the early Safavid period, has officially begun.

Armenian churches in Abadan and Ahvaz seen as potential tourism attractions

TEHRAN - Armenian churches and cemeteries in the Iranian cities of Abadan and Ahvaz hold significant potential to boost cultural tourism, according to an Iranian lawmaker representing the Armenian community.

Indians fond of Yazd’s architecture, Iranian dishes

TEHRAN--Indians are fond of Yazd’s traditional architecture, and Iranian cuisine, such as traditional dishes of Qormeh Sabzi and Qeymeh Nesar, said an Indian tour operator who works with several travel agencies.

Isfahan named Asian Capital of Tourism for 2025

TEHRAN – The historic city of Isfahan has been officially designated as the Asian Capital of Tourism for 2025 by the Asian Mayors Forum (AMF), in recognition of its rich cultural heritage, vibrant tourism offerings, and active engagement in international urban cooperation.

Paleolithic evidence discovered on Iran’s Makran coast

TEHRAN - A team of archaeologists, led by Dr. Morteza Hessari, has succeeded in discovering stone artifacts from the Paleolithic era on the Makran coast in Sistan-Baluchestan province.

A monument of engineering and history, Veresk turns 89

TEHRAN - Veresk Bridge, one of Iran’s most iconic engineering feats of the 20th century and a vital link in the Trans-Iranian Railway, has reached its 89th anniversary.

Mongolian delegation visits Iran’s National Museum, explores avenues for expanded cultural ties

TEHRAN - A high-ranking delegation from Mongolia visited the National Museum of Iran on Monday to explore opportunities for expanded cultural and museum cooperation between the two nations.

Festival of Iranian tribes kicks off in Bojnurd

TEHRAN – A festival of Iranian tribes, alongside a handicrafts and souvenirs exhibition, officially opened on Monday evening in the scenic Besh Qardash area of Bojnurd, the capital of North Khorasan province in northeastern Iran.

Iran eases visas, but media misinformation still a barrier to tourism

TEHRAN – A senior Iranian tourism official has said that the spread of negative media narratives about Iran – commonly referred to as Iranophobia – poses a significant challenge to the country’s tourism sector, even as visa requirements for most travelers have been eased or eliminated.

Iran proposes strategic tourism roadmap at D-8 meeting in Cairo

TEHRAN – On Tuesday, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, called for a transformative approach to tourism as a driver of sustainable peace and Islamic civilizational renewal during the 5th D-8 Senior Officials Meeting on Tourism, held Tuesday in Cairo.

Hasanlu Golden Bowl festival added to Iran’s national tourism calendar

TEHRAN – The annual Hasanlu Golden Bowl Festival, held in Naghadeh, West Azarbaijan province, has been officially registered in the calendar of national tourism events of the Islamic Republic of Iran, an official announced.

Minister says cultural diplomacy holds key to stronger ties between Iran and Egypt

TEHRAN--Minister of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has described cultural diplomacy as the cornerstone of strengthening relations between Iran and Egypt.

Palangan prepares to host Hezar-Daf festival with enhanced infrastructure

TEHRAN - The historic village of Palangan is gearing up to host the annual Hezar-Daf festival, one of the region’s most significant cultural and spiritual events celebrating the traditional music of the western Iranian region.

First Kurdish purebred horse festival held in Sanandaj

TEHRAN – Sanandaj in western Iran hosted its first-ever festival of Kurdish purebred horses on Friday, drawing equestrians and horse enthusiasts from across the country.

Soltaniyeh, a UNESCO-listed mausoleum of the 14th century, undergoes restoration

TEHRAN – Phase two of a restoration and conservation project on the southern gate of the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh Dome has commenced, according to the director of the World Heritage site.

Locals revive tradition of cherishing ancient qanats with flowers and rosewater

TEHRAN - After more than five decades of silence, the people of Bam in southeastern Iran have revived an ancient tradition honoring qanats – the man-made subterranean aqueducts that sustained life in this arid region for centuries.

Iran promotes Carnet de Passages for expanding regional mobility and tourism

TEHRAN - Iran took an active part in the 6th Expert Meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) Customs Committee, held in Turkey, emphasizing the importance of the Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) system in facilitating cross-border vehicle movement and promoting regional tourism.

Minister highlights Isfahan’s cultural significance at Iran-Africa conference

TEHRAN – In a speech marking the conclusion of the Third Iran-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference held in Isfahan, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, described the city as a “symbol of Iranian civilization”.

Herding and hunting: National Museum study paints picture of Iron Age life

TEHRAN - A study by researchers from the National Museum of Iran has unveiled new insights into animal exploitation patterns during the Iron Age in Gilan province, which is bounded by the Caspian Sea, north of the country.

By Afshin Majlesi

Persian Gulf National Day: a celebration of history, culture, and nature