Shushtar’s World Heritage value lies in its engineering system, not individual structures: official

TEHRAN – The outstanding universal value of Iran’s UNESCO-listed Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System lies in the engineering knowledge and integrated water management system behind its construction rather than its individual bridges, dams or mills, the head of the World Heritage site said as the country marked the 17th anniversary of its inscription.

Gonabad, an emerging destination for religious tourism

TEHRAN - Gonabad, a historic city in Khorasan Razavi province, is an emerging destination for religious tourism after registering the highest number of Ashura-related events in Iran’s national tourism calendar, a local cultural heritage official said.

Urmia mosque restoration nears completion ahead of UNESCO evaluation

TEHRAN – Restoration and preparation work on the Jameh Mosque of Urmia is in its final stages as the site is being readied for evaluation for possible inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage list, a provincial official said on Tuesday.

Iran tourism has potential to rebound quickly, guides’ head says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism industry has the capacity to recover quickly if security, stability and policy coordination are strengthened, the head of the Iranian Tourist Guides Association said on Thursday.

Tehran tourism fair postponed amid concerns

TEHRAN - Iran has decided to postpone the 19th Tehran International Tourism and Handicrafts Exhibition following a joint meeting between tourism officials and private sector representatives.

Tourism minister says Yalda can serve as platform for regional dialogue

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has said that the ancient festivity of Yalda should be viewed as a shared cultural framework for dialogue, cohesion and civilizational convergence across the region.

Isfahan opens intl. tourism exhibition, officials say event marks new phase in sector

TEHRAN – Officials in Iran’s central province of Isfahan said on Tuesday that the 15th Isfahan International Exhibition of Tourism, Handicrafts and Hoteling would help launch a new phase in the region’s tourism development.

‘Narrators of Ancient Iran’ extended after popular demand

TEHRAN - Due to “its great success”, the exhibition “Narrators of Ancient Iran: A Selection of Objects from the National Museum” has been extended for one month and will now remain open to the public until December 21.

Minister calls Caspian regional meeting a new phase of cooperation, highlights cultural capacity

TEHRAN – Iran’s cultural heritage minister on Tuesday described the Caspian Sea coastal governors’ summit as the start of a new phase of regional cooperation, saying the country holds more than one million documented historical sites.

Mazandaran launches fam tour for Russian, Kazakh and Turkmen visitors

TEHRAN - A tourism event titled “Mazandaran, the Green Gateway of Iran” has begun with the arrival of tourism professionals and social media influencers from Russia, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, the province’s deputy governor-general for economic affairs and tourism said on Sunday.

UNESCO recognition of Cyrus Cylinder highlights Iran’s role in human rights, museum director says

TEHRAN – The recent UNESCO recognition of the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the earliest documents on human rights is a source of national pride and a reaffirmation of Iran’s contribution to universal human values, the director of the National Museum of Iran said on Sunday.

UNESCO recognizes Cyrus Cylinder as one of world’s earliest human rights charters

TEHRAN - UNESCO’s General Conference on Thursday adopted a resolution recognizing the Cyrus Cylinder as one of the world’s earliest declarations promoting cultural diversity and human rights.

Iran launches pilot program for tourist currency exchange and payment cards at airports

TEHRAN – The Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CBI) said it has begun a pilot phase of a plan to buy foreign currency from international tourists and issue “tourist cards” at the country’s international airports.

Rural literary tourism route launched in Kandelous, northern Iran

TEHRAN – Iran has inaugurated a rural literary tourism route in the village of Kandelous in northern Mazandaran province, linking local folklore with cultural and ecological tourism, officials said.

By Afshin Majlesi

Restoration of Arnaldo Pomodoro’s 3-ton bronze sphere underway in Tehran

TEHRAN - Conservation work has begun on a 3,000-kilogram bronze sculpture by the late Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro at a museum in northern Tehran.