AI workshop explores technology’s role in tourism development in West Azerbaijan

TEHRAN – An educational workshop on the applications of artificial intelligence in tourism was held in Iran’s West Azarbaijan province to strengthen the capabilities of tourism professionals, improve digital services and explore the potential of emerging technologies in developing the sector.

Iraqi students to become ‘tourism ambassadors’ for Kermanshah

TEHRAN – Iraqi students studying in Iran’s Kermanshah province are expected to be trained as “tourism ambassadors” to help promote the province’s historical and cultural attractions in their own country, a provincial tourism official said on Sunday.

Kerman’s Pateh has potential to become global brand: official

TEHRAN – Pateh, a traditional embroidered handicraft deeply rooted in the history and cultural identity of Iran’s Kerman province, has the potential to become a recognized global brand if commercialization, branding and market development are strengthened, a provincial handicrafts official said.

Ilkhanid-era stone inscription discovered in central Iran

TEHRAN – A stone inscription dating to the Ilkhanid period has been discovered during restoration work at the eastern entrance of the Jameh Mosque in Nimvar, a historic city in central Iran.

Hamedan Day: Herbal medicine festival opens near Avicenna’s tomb

TEHRAN – A herbal medicine festival and sales exhibition, named after Avicenna, opened next to the renowned Persian polymath’s tomb in Hamadan on Sunday, coinciding with Hamadan Day and commemorations honoring the celebrated scholar.

Rock art: Tiny Sasanian bird motif discovered in southern Iran

TEHRAN – Archaeologist Abolhasan Atabaki has reported the discovery of what he describes as the smallest known bird motif from the Sasanian period, measuring just 3 by 2 centimeters and engraved on the rocks of the Marvdasht Plain in Fars province, southern Iran.

Tehran, New Delhi seek stronger tourism co-op

TEHRAN – Iran and India have discussed closer tourism cooperation, stronger air links, private-sector partnerships, joint UNESCO nominations and expanded medical tourism.

Iran urges BRICS to build resilient and sustainable tourism sector

TEHRAN – Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has called for a new definition of resilience in tourism, saying the sector should help connect nations, revive hope, support communities and contribute to lasting peace.

Iranian, Turkish officials discuss ways to diversify tourism flows

TEHRAN – Officials from Iran and Turkey has recently discussed broaden tourism cooperation by moving beyond a focus on a handful of well-known destinations and promoting the diverse attractions of their provinces to each other’s markets.

Changiz Sheykhli, ‘father of Iranian caving,’ dies at 99

TEHRAN – Changiz Sheykhli, the pioneering figure who founded Iran’s modern caving and speleology movement, died on Wednesday, August 20, in Karaj at age 99, following a period of illness.

By Afshin Majlesi

Tehran municipality official highlights restoration of war-damaged heritage sites

TEHRAN – Ali Shamsipour, head of the Urban Research and Planning Center of Tehran Municipality, has highlighted plans and ongoing efforts to restore heritage sites damaged during the recent war involving the United States and the Israeli regime.

Iranian culinary team wins multiple medals at Armenian festival

TٍEHRAN - An Iranian culinary team won several gold, silver and bronze medals at the fifth edition of the Navasard festival in Armenia, highlighting the country’s culinary heritage and its potential for international food tourism, Mehr news agency reported on Sunday.

Archaeological survey in Taft identifies ruined structures, stone tools

TEHRAN - The first systematic archaeological survey of the Nir and Garizat districts in Taft county, central Iran, has been completed, identifying ancient sites, historic fortifications, water-management structures, cemeteries and stone tools, a provincial heritage official said.

Better use of books is essential to cultural diplomacy, tourism minister says

TEHRAN - Iran should make better use of books, literature and publishing as key tools to present its history, culture and civilization to international audiences, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Saturday.

Iran has 58 sites on UNESCO tentative list, heritage official says

TEHRAN - Iran currently has 58 cultural and natural properties and heritage collections on the UNESCO Tentative List, according to the director general of registration of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts.

Echoes of the past: Golden-lustre ceramic bowl

The pictured golden-lustre ceramic bowl, which dates from the 7th century AH (13th–14th century CE), is made of a stone-paste (glass-paste) body. It is deep-bodied, with a flat rim, an elongated profile, and a tall, rounded, concave base. Decorative inscriptions adorn both its interior and exterior surfaces.

Four Iranian historic water structures selected for global irrigation heritage recognition

TEHRAN - Four historic Iranian water and irrigation structures -- Si-o-se-pol in Isfahan, Band-e Amir in Fars, the Shadorvan Grand Weir in Khuzestan and the historic hydraulic structures of Siraf in Bushehr -- have been selected for recognition under the World Heritage Irrigation Structures (WHIS) program of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID).

Alamut’s World Heritage status opens new chapter for tourism and local growth

TEHRAN - Alamut region could become a strategic hub for social cohesion, hope, tourism thrive, and local development following its inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List, a senior official at the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts said.

Mashhad to get handicrafts township as Iran seeks to expand sector’s export potential

TEHRAN — Iran plans to establish a dedicated handicrafts township in Mashhad as a pilot project that could eventually be replicated across the country, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri said on Friday.

$168,000 worth of handicrafts sold along Arbaeen pilgrimage routes

TEHRAN - Handicrafts worth 31 billion tomans, equivalent to about $168,000 at the prevailing open-market exchange rate, were sold at stalls set up along the Arbaeen pilgrimage routes in six Iranian provinces, an official said.

Iranian actor calls for artists to become cultural ambassadors for tourism

TEHRAN – Veteran Iranian actor and cultural heritage advocate Majid Mozaffari has called for greater use of the country’s artistic and cultural figures to promote Iran’s cultural heritage, historical and natural attractions and handicrafts to domestic and international audiences.

Restoration of historical alleyways begins in Abarkuh

TEHRAN - Restoration and rehabilitation of alleyways and urban spaces in the historical district of Abarkuh has begun under a cooperation agreement between the local Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department and Abarkuh Municipality, an official said.

Sistan-Baluchestan advances UNESCO bid for historic Asbads

TEHRAN – Iran’s Sistan-Baluchestan is stepping up efforts to secure UNESCO World Heritage status for its historic Asbads, with officials planning a dedicated task force to strengthen the nomination dossier and highlight the province’s rich historical and cultural heritage.

Monitoring begins at centuries-old sites in UNESCO-listed city of Yazd

TEHRAN — Monitoring of centuries-old monuments in the UNESCO-listed Historic City of Yazd has begun as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen conservation and management of the Iranian oasis city, a local official has said.

Isfahan heritage records undergo digital preservation

TEHRAN - Isfahan’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department has begun digitizing around 2,000 documents and records held by the province’s cultural heritage documentation center, an official said on Saturday.

UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh to undergo restoration

TEHRAN – Restoration work on the interior of the UNESCO-listed Soltaniyeh dome in northwestern Iran will begin soon after a contractor is selected in the coming days, a provincial cultural heritage official said.

Ancient Iranian wind towers inspire Italian designer for overheated cities

TEHRAN - An Italian designer is developing a concept for mobile wind towers inspired by Iran’s centuries-old wind catchers, locally named a Badgir, aiming to reduce urban heat by directing natural air flows into streets and public spaces affected by rising temperatures.