Iran: Tourism in the Land of Tales Beyond the Bustling Nights

28 September 2024 1:09 PM

WANA (Sep 28) – Imagine one day you’re planning a trip to a country filled with visions of lively parties, crowded bars, and dancing in nightclubs. But hold on for a moment! If Iran is your destination, set aside all these notions because Iran is not a place where you’ll spend your nights in noisy clubs.

Instead, it invites you to a different world, a place where a civilization of thousands of years old, breathtaking nature, and warm-hearted people invite you to a unique and pure experience.

Iran is a land where every corner tells a story from history, from Persepolis, the ancient capital of the Achaemenids, to the old houses of Yazd that seem to have come straight out of a tale. In the bazaars of Tabriz, the sound of blacksmiths’ hammers and the aroma of fine Eastern spices rejuvenate your spirit.

If you’re a nature lover, Iran is a paradise for you; from the calm and serene deserts to the lush Alborz mountains and the stunning gardens like Eram Garden in Shiraz, all will immerse you in their beauty.

However, your journey to Iran should come with an understanding of this country’s cultural and social differences. Here, there’s no alcohol consumption or nightlife as you might expect. Instead, authentic cultures and social rules have replaced the bustling nights.

Social and romantic relationships also exist within specific frameworks. In public spaces, you must respect restrictions such as gender segregation. This segregation is evident in public transportation, swimming pools, water parks, and religious sites, where sections for women and men are separated to maintain respect for cultural norms and laws.

Although there are no bars and clubs in Iran, the people of this land have other ways to find joy. Parks and recreational areas are filled with families spending happy moments together, and they deeply respect the concept of family and familial bonds.

Don’t be surprised if people approach you in various places; their behaviour simply creates a friendly atmosphere and makes your journey memorable. So, you can join them, enjoy nature, and have a unique experience.

Tourists expressing their ideas about travelling to Iran/Photo By Behnam Yousefi/Social media/ WANA (West Asia News Agency)

One of the wonders of travelling to Iran is the affordability of costs. You can enjoy travel at an incredible price without compromising quality. Iranian cuisine is another story! From fragrant and flavorful kebabs to Ghormeh sabzi and Gheymé, or even traditional sweets and pickles that satisfy every palate, each city in Iran has its special dish, offering you a diverse tasting experience.

Iran is an unparalleled destination for those seeking tranquillity, culture, and history. Not only does this country host culture and history enthusiasts, but it is also one of the world’s most significant destinations for religious tourism.

The cities of Mashhad and Qom attract millions of Muslim pilgrims from around the globe each year with their holy shrines.

The shrine of Imam Reza (AS) in Mashhad and the shrine of Lady Masoumeh (SA) in Qom have a spiritual and unique atmosphere that will leave you in awe, even if you are not a pilgrim. Of course, appropriate dress in religious sites is essential, which is Chadoor for women. Don’t worry if you don’t have one; you can ask shrine attendants to lend you one.

From Jamkaran in Qom to Shah Cheragh in Shiraz, each of these sacred sites has a story to tell, attracting many pilgrims from around the world for religious ceremonies. Events like Muharram, Arbaeen, and the mid-Sha’ban also create Iran’s unique and spiritual atmosphere.

So, if you are looking for a journey filled with cultural, historical, and spiritual depth, Iran is the place you should visit. It is a land that captures the hearts of both history enthusiasts and pilgrims.

In recent years, the Iranian government has undertaken extensive measures to develop the tourism industry, including improving accommodation infrastructure such as building hotels and eco-lodges with the help of the private sector. Additionally, abolishing visas for citizens of 28 countries has facilitated visa-free travel conditions for foreign tourists.

These countries include Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tunisia, Tanzania, Mauritania, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Seychelles, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Brunei, Brazil, Mexico, Peru, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Belarus.

Tourists expressing their ideas about travelling to Iran/Photo By Behnam Yousefi/Social media/ WANA (West Asia News Agency)

Indian nationals also do not need a visa if entering through air borders, and Russian citizens can enter Iran without a visa on group trips. Furthermore, Iran has established bilateral visa-free agreements with countries such as Georgia, Armenia, Turkey, Syria, Iraq, and Kazakhstan. It has also unilaterally or airport visa exemptions with countries like Azerbaijan, China, Oman, and Lebanon. An agreement to abolish bilateral visas with Tajikistan has also been signed.

Foreign investment in Iran’s tourism sector has increased eighteenfold under the thirteenth government, reaching $256 million by the end of 2023. Additionally, in the cultural heritage field, 1,800 sites have been registered on the national heritage list, and entries like “Yalda Night” and “Turkmen Needlework” have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list, elevating Iran’s ranking to sixth globally.

According to a report by the World Tourism Organization, Iran witnessed a 43% increase in foreign tourist arrivals in 2023, improving its ranking from 40th to 34th in the world. Thus, the country leveraged one of the most lucrative industries in the country—tourism.

Also, In a recent meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Salehi Amiri, discussed three significant international tourism projects for Iran.

He outlined plans to establish an International Center for the Development, Promotion, and Applied Research of Handicrafts in Iran. Additionally, he proposed Tehran host a city tourism conference with mayors from various global tourist cities and requested that UNWTO offer free or low-cost training programs for Iranian tourism professionals.

Zourab Pololikashvili, the UNWTO Secretary-General, expressed gratitude for Iran’s international support of the organization’s initiatives and highlighted the importance of the three projects presented by Salehi Amiri, assuring that a consensus on their implementation would be reached soon.