tourist Archives - Iran News Daily

Iran plans to issue tourist cards for foreign tourists: Minister

siavash — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 10:12:16 +0000

Iran plans to issue tourist cards for foreign tourists: Minister

TEHRAN (Iran News) Reza Salehi Amiri said on Tuesday that the lack of a currency exchange system and the absence of international credit cards have posed challenges for the tourism industry in the Islamic Republic; therefore, the Central Bank of Iran (CBI) must address this issue.

Stressing that the potential and capacity of Iran’s tourism need a change, Salehi Amiri added the primary target market for tourism is the “Nowruz region,” which is a cultural area including countries like Azerbaijan. He mentioned that more than 1.8 million Azeri tourists used to visit Iran, but due to an incident in Tehran (the embassy incident on January 27, 2023), the number of tourists from the neighboring country dropped to 0.1 million.

“On my visit to Baku, I had discussions with senior officials of Azerbaijan, and we are working to reopen this route and revive tourist exchanges,” he noted.

The minister also mentioned that Persian Gulf littoral states, particularly Iraq, are the second target market for tourism, with over 3 million tourists coming from Iraq to Iran, while 7.5 million Iranian pilgrims travel to Iraq annually, which is disproportionate and requires balance.

He further stated that one of the main and serious goals of his ministry is the tourism market in Saudi Arabia because there is a belief in resolving issues between the two nations and President Masoud Pezeshkian is determined to resolve issues with Saudi Arabia, adding that a significant progress has been made in this regard.

The minister also expressed hope that during President Pezeshkian’s meeting with the leaders of Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia, issues will be resolved, and a new chapter in relations will begin.

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Baba Aman Park in Bojnord: A Tourist Attraction of Iran

reporter 1222 — Sun, 16 Sep 2018 09:10:55 +0000

It is one of the oldest parks in Iran. Baba Aman is located 10km from Bojnord city, the provincial capital city of Iran’s North Khorasan.

In Baba Aman there is a tomb attributed to Imam Kazem (AS), which is known as holy Baba Aman and the main spring.

The resort is a beautiful and pleasant place for travelers who wish to travel to northern cities, in particular Mashhad. There are 400 thousand trees such as, acacia, sycamore, hawthorn, apricot, wild raspberry bushes in this park.

Four points within the foothills are the sources for Baba Aman main spring. The water flows to the pools to make artificial cascades. The spring water is calcic and sodic sulphate that is laxative and helps the digestive actions.

In Baba Aman there are facilities including restaurant, motels, bakery, children’s park and seasonal craft fairs are also held in this park. A branch of Atrak River is another attraction of Baba Aman. This branch makes the enthusiasts to spend hours to fishing.

Also, there are several trout ponds in the park run by private sectors. In other beautiful scenery of the park is Pardisan wildlife, in west part of Baba Aman, in which you can find the diversity of plant and animal species of north Khorasan.

There are rare animals in this park including; deer, rams, ewes.

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Foreign tourists to Iran rise by 38% in first 4 months: official

reporter 1222 — Mon, 03 Sep 2018 09:55:11 +0000

The head of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization said Sunday that the number of foreign tourists to Iran has risen by 38 percent during the first four months of current [Iranian calendar] year 1397 (starting March 21), compared to the same period last year.

Last year (March 2017 – March 2018), some 5.1 million foreign tourists visited Iran, said Ali Asghar Mounesan, adding that Azerbaijan, Turkey, Iraq and Saudi Arabia had the most share in this regard.

Elsewhere he added that foreign tourists have bought handicrafts valuing at some $250 million in last year while some $330 million of handicrafts have been bought by Iranians in the same period.

Mounesan went on to say that more than 1,900 projects are being carried out in Iran’s tourism sector, valuing around $10 billion, and hoped that 1,250 projects would be inaugurated by the end of current administration’s term.

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Serbia anticipating rise in Iranian tourists

reporter 1222 — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 12:30:21 +0000

TEHRAN – Deputy prime minister of Serbia said his country was expecting an increase in the number tourists from Iran and China in the new year.

Rasim Ljajić, Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia and the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Telecommunications, said his country gained revenue worth 1.2 euros through tourism in 2017 that was the most successful years for Serbia. He however anticipated that the figure will rise to € 1.4 billion in the year 2018.

He said the Serbian income for tourism in the first ten months of 2017 had hit 971 million euros.

Ljajić added that according to the plans and given the establishment of a visa-free regime with China and the airline between Beijing and Belgrade, Serbia’s earnings in the present year would amount to 1.4 billion euros, which would easily be achievable.

The official added that through visa waiver with Iran that took place in 2017 and the Tehran-Belgrade direct flight that is to be launched in January 2018, the number of tourists from Iran will increase.

Referring to the significant rise in the number of foreign tourists expected from China and Iran, he said “the target for 2018 is to increase the number of tourists in Serbia by 3.4 million tourists, out of which more than 1.6 million will be foreign tourists.”

It is worth noting that visa waiver for Iranian nationals holding ordinary passports was enforced on September 2, 2017 and the reciprocal waiver of visas for citizens of Serbia with a normal passport was enforced early November, which was intended to expand friendly relations between the two nations.

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‘Silk Road’ train carrying foreign tourists arrives in Isfahan

reporter 1222 — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 11:10:28 +0000

The ‘Silk Road’ train carrying foreign tourists arrived in the tourist city of Isfahan in central Iran on Friday evening.

According to the Director General of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Office of Isfahan Shahram Amiri said on Saturday that 68 foreign tourists from Canada, England, Australia, Denmark, Italy, Singapore, Peru and Malaysia who were the tourist ‘Silk Road’ train are expected to visit historical attractions in Isfahan including Chehl Sotoon Palace, Naqshe Jahan Square as well as Si-o-se-pol (also known Allahverdi Khan Bridge.)

The tourist ‘Silk Road’ train arrived in Isfahan from another Iranian historical city of Yazd, in which the tourists had visited historical places there including Zorostrian Fire Temple, Amir Chakhmaq Complex as well as Yazd Grand mosque.

The foreign tourists will leave Isfahan tonight for another Iranian tourist city of Shiraz to visit the tourist attractions there, followed by other Iranian cities of Kerman, Tehran, Kashan, Shush, and Garmeh.

Over the past three years, a large number of foreign tourists have traveled to Isfahan by 15 special foreign tourists trains.

Amiri concluded that the “Silk Road” train, which entered Iran on April 3, will leave the country on April 20.

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Ankara Hosting Photos of Iranian Tourist Attractions

reporter 1222 — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 17:15:39 +0000

An exhibition of 200 photos from Iran’s tourist attractions taken by Turkish photographers opened in Ankara, Turkey, on Oct. 24.
The event marks the 40th foundation anniversary of Ankara Photographers Association (AFSAD), IRNA reported.
A total of 21 photographers captured the sights during their seven-day journey to Tehran, Isfahan, Yazd and Shiraz. During their trip, they mainly focused on cultural and social attractions as well as monuments of Iran.
Hossein Safarkhani, cultural adviser of Iran’s Embassy in Turkey, appreciated the work of the photographers and invited Turkish artists and media personalities to visit Iran.
“Iran and Turkey have a lot in common, yet each side does not know the other well,” he added.
Safarkhani noted that Iran’s Embassy is willing to give opportunities for Iranian and Turkish photographers to conduct photography projects in both countries.
Founded in 1977, AFSAD is a non-governmental organization seeking to develop the art of photography in Turkey.
The exhibition hosts visitors until Oct. 27.

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Kerman’s H1 foreign tourist arrivals up 30% y/y

reporter 1222 — Thu, 16 Nov 2017 11:30:50 +0000

TEHRAN – International tourist arrivals in Iran’s southeastern Kerman province rose 30 percent in the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2017) from a year earlier.

“The half-year foreign visits to the province shows a 30-percent year-on-year growth while the figure indicates a sevenfold increase in comparison to [calendar] year 1392 (March 2013 – March 2014),” CHTN quoted Mahmoud Vafai, Kerman tourism chief, as saying on Tuesday.

Kerman seeks to exploit its considerable tourism potential in order to achieve sustainable development in the tourism sector, the official added while referring to major expenditure of time and effort to enhance hospitality infrastructure.

“Up to the moment 160 eco-lodges have been constructed across the province [over the past couple of years], which puts Kerman over the top in comparison to other provinces.”

The big and sprawling Kerman province has been a cultural melting pot since antiquity, blending Persians with subcontinental tribe dwellers. It is home to myriad historical sites and scenic landscapes such as Bazaar-e Sartasari, Jabalieh Dome, Ganjali Khan Bathhouse, Malek Jameh Mosque and Shahdad Desert to name a few.

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Luxury Train Carrying Foreign Tourists Arrives in Tehran

reporter 1222 — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 10:15:49 +0000

TEHRAN – The Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian Express, offering the world’s longest train journey, has arrived in the Iranian capital, Tehran, a report said.

The train, carrying international tourists from Russia, Britain, the US, Australia, Germany, and the Philippines, will start its 12-day tour of Iran from the capital on November 11.

After Tehran, it will take the tourists to Iran’s major tourist destinations like Mashhad, Yazd, Isfahan, Shiraz, Kashan, Yazd, Arak and Garmsar.

The train is expected back in Tehran on November 22.

The main route of the Trans-Siberian Express – which is equipped with a 4 to 5 star hotel service – was always through Russia, the Trans-Siberian route.

It extends from Moscow to Vladivostok, a Russian city that borders China and North Korea.

Passengers can choose from 16 eastbound or westbound journey dates from May to September.

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Asyabkharabeh: A Site Worth Seeing in Iran’s East Azarbaijan Province

reporter 1222 — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 17:45:53 +0000

TEHRAN – Asyabkharabeh (broken watermill), also known as ‘Jolfa Water Mill’, is a historic site in East Azarbaijan, northwest of Iran, with ruins and a waterfall.

It is one of the most beautiful places in northwest of the country. It has an eye-catching view.

In the past, there were a few water mills here that used the waterfall to work. But now only the ruins remain and that’s where the place takes its name from.

It is one of the major tourist sites of the province and the city of Jolfa which is located few kilometers of the border with the Azarbaijan Republic.

Asyabkharabeh Waterfall is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the area. This waterfall, which obtains its water from springs around the area, is about 10 meters in height.

The waterfall leads to other minor waterfalls in the pit of the valley. The area boasts cold and pleasant weather.

East Azarbaijan Province enjoys a cool and dry climate. It is a mountainous region.

Tabriz is the most important city of the province. The province has joint borders with Azarbaijan Republic, Armenia and Nakhchivan.

The highest peak of East Azarbaijan is Sahand Mountain at 3,722 meters of elevation.

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Naqsh-e Rostam: A Must-See Tourist Hotspot in Southern Iran

reporter 1222 — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 04:59:28 +0000

TEHRAN – A variety of spectacular massive rock–hewn tombs and bas-relief carvings at Naqsh-e Rostam has turned the ancient site to a must-see for holidaymakers traversing Iran.

The Achaemenid necropolis is situated near Persepolis, itself a bustling UNESCO World Heritage site near the southern city of Shiraz.

Naqsh-e Rostam, meaning “Picture of Rostam” is named after mythical Iranian hero which is most celebrated in Shahnameh and Persian mythology. Back in time, natives of the region had erroneously supposed that the carvings below the tombs represent depictions of the mythical hero.

One of the wonders of the ancient world, Naqsh-e Rostam embraces four tombs are where Persian Achaemenid kings are laid to rest, believed to be those of Darius II, Artaxerxes I, Darius I and Xerxes I (from left to right facing the cliff), although some historians are still debating this.

There are gorgeous bas-relief carvings above the tomb chambers that are similar to those at Persepolis, with the kings standing on thrones supported by figures representing the subject nations below. There also two similar graves situated on the premises of Persepolis probably belong to Artaxerxes II and Artaxerxes III.

Beneath the funerary chambers are dotted with seven Sassanian era (224–651) bas-reliefs cut into the cliff depict vivid scenes of imperial conquests and royal ceremonies; signboards below each relief give a detailed description in English.

At the foot of Naqsh-e Rostam, in the direction of the cliff face, stands a square building known as Ka’beh-ye Zardusht, meaning Kaaba of Zoroaster. The building, which is roughly 12 meters high and 7 meters square, probably was constructed in the first half of the 6th century BC, although it bears variety of inscriptions from later periods.

Though the Ka’beh-ye Zardusht is of great linguistic interest, its original purpose is not clear. It may have been a tomb for Achaemenian royalty or some sort of altar, perhaps to the goddess Anahiti, also called Anahita believed to be associate with royalty, war, and fertility.

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