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.

Deputy tourism minister urges visiting tour operators to share Iran’s clean image

TEHRAN – Iran’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Anoushirvan Mohseni-Bandpey, has called on international tour operators to mirror a clear image of Iran to the world, highlighting the country’s hospitality, safety, and cultural richness.

Minister highlights plans to boost tourism and strengthen ties with Arab nations

TEHRAN - Iran’s Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts has announced plans for the country’s tourism sector, predicting that the number of inbound travelers will surpass seven million in the current Persian year that comes to an end on March 20.

Mohamadreza Seyedagha

Culture minister emphasizes importance of transparency to reach cultural justice

TEHRAN-Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi, at a press conference on Sunday, emphasized the importance of transparency and the role of media to help the ministry through their criticisms and suggestions.

First vice president highlights private sector’s role in tourism development

TEHRAN - Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s First Vice President, stressed the critical role of the private sector in fostering tourism growth during a meeting with hoteliers and investors in the tourism sector on Saturday.

Tourism minister highlights plans to boost international arrivals

TEHRAN - Iran's Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has announced ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at removing obstacles to international tourism in the country.

Iran’s reality distorted by propaganda, tourism minister warns

TEHRAN - Iranian Tourism Minister Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri has criticized what he described as a widespread campaign of “Iranophobia” aimed at tarnishing the country’s image and deterring international visitors.

Tourism minister stresses combating Iranophobia 

TEHRAN- On Monday, the Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri highlighted the priorities of the ministry, stating, “To revitalize the tourism industry and attract more visitors, combating Iranophobia is our main concern.”

European cyclists promote peace, echo Iran’s safety, official says

TEHRAN - Iran is currently hosting a group of European motorcyclist tourists, known as “international peace ambassadors,” in a symbolic event that reflects the country’s high level of security and hospitality on the global stage, a tourism official has said.

Minister calls for overcoming negative stereotypes to boost tourism

TEHRAN - Iran’s Tourism Minister, Seyyed Reza Salehi-Amiri, has called for efforts to change global perceptions of Iran, promoting tourism and positioning Yazd as a gateway for this transformation.

Half of the world’s population can travel to Iran without visas, tourism minister says

TEHRAN - According to the tourism minister of the Islamic Republic, Iran grants visa-free access to approximately half of the world’s population, totaling around four billion people.

Official underlines safety and beauty of Iran to international visitors

TEHRAN - On Wednesday, Mohammad Karimi, the Parliamentary Director of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, highlighted the positive experiences of foreign tourists visiting Iran, countering misconceptions spread by “adversaries”.

UN Tourism secretary-general praises Iran’s efforts, challenges so-called Iranophobia

TEHRAN - UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili has recently addressed misconceptions surrounding Iran, commonly known as Iranophbia.

Expert lauds Beijing’s exhibit of Persian arts as a beacon of soft diplomacy

TEHRAN – On Sunday, Iranian cultural heritage expert Seyyed Mohammad Beheshti expressed his enthusiasm for arranging a loan exhibition of Persian treasures in China, calling it an impressive example of cultural diplomacy.

Travel facilitation helps diminish Iranophobia, minister says

TEHRAN – Iran’s tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami has said the impact of anti-Iran sentiments, fueled by the U.S. and some other Western powers, will be diminished by attracting more visitors to the ancient land.

Iran becoming more accessible despite tension with West

TEHRAN - Despite numerous travel warnings and periodic condemnation by Western governments, Iran continues to attract adventurous international visitors, including those interested in the ancient Persian Empire, the Nikkei wrote on Thursday.

Iran proposes visa simplification to spur tourism among D-8 member states

TEHRAN – Iranian tourism minister Ezzatollah Zarghami has proposed to facilitate the issuance of visas or their cancellation in the form of an agreement between D-8 member states to help promote tourism.

Inbound tour operators visit Hamedan on fam tour

TEHRAN – Hamedan province has organized a three-day familiarization tour for a number of inbound tour operators and travel agents in a bid to upsurge its tourism sector.

Tourism minister calls on ambassadors to fight Iranophobia

TEHRAN – Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami has called on Iranian ambassadors to other countries to help foil anti-Iranian sentiment or Iranophobia that is forged by some Western governments.

Foreign Ministry says Iran's military program is solely “defensive and deterrent

Iran advises U.S. to let ‘positive’ course in the region proceed calmly

TEHRAN - Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani on Sunday responded to the U.S. secretary of state’s remarks regarding Iran's military program, saying such statement are in line with the “Iranophobia” project and fomenting “discord” among regional countries.