Hamedan, One of Iran's Five Historical-Cultural Cities
August 14, 1999 - 0:0
TEHRAN -- More than one thousand natural sites, historical and cultural monuments, entertainment and worship places as well as appropriate weather condition have turned the city of Hamedan into a remarkable tourist city, Head of Hamedan Province's Tourism Organization Ali Vahdati told the TEHRAN TIMES. It is one of the historical-cultural cities of Iran, enjoying a special position from national and international points of view.
Other four historical-cultural Iranian cities are: Isfahan, Shiraz, Kermanshah and Yazd. He also said that Hamedan handicrafts, modern and luxurious residential places, and its hospitable people are all positive points which can attract tourists. Vahdati also underlined that currently some 16 tourism development projects are underway in Hamedan, adding that with the implementation of the projects, the ground would be paved for development of tourism industry in this province.
As for the publicity measures taken by Iran Tourism Organization for development of tourism sector, Vahdati referred to the postal cards and posters of Hamedan Province tourist sites, adding, "The guide book for tourists will be published in Persian and English languages in the near future. There are two four-star, two three-star, one one-star hotels as well as a number of guesthouses and 65 restaurants in Hamedan Province, Vahdati said, adding that lack of coordination among organizations in charge of tourism activities, insufficient investment in tourism sector, lack of experienced guides familiar with foreign languages, and lack of appropriate information-transmission system are the main problems besetting tourism sector of Hamedan Province. Vahdati also stressed that one of the main problems in tourism sector is that there are too many decision-making and executive bodies in this sector, adding that such bodies and different tourism-related organs should be merged.
He further emphasized that the government should support investment by the private sector in tourism industry, adding that renovation, reconstruction and preservation of historical monuments and tourist sites as well as legal support, will pave the way for promotion of tourism in the country. In conclusion, Vahdati named Ali-Sadr Cave as one of the most attractive tourist sites of Hamedan Province, saying that some 4,850 foreign tourists and 2.5 million Iranian tourists visited the tourist sites of Hamedan last year.
He expressed hope that through removing the current problems in the tourism sector, the number of tourists who visit Hamedan will be increased in the future.
Other four historical-cultural Iranian cities are: Isfahan, Shiraz, Kermanshah and Yazd. He also said that Hamedan handicrafts, modern and luxurious residential places, and its hospitable people are all positive points which can attract tourists. Vahdati also underlined that currently some 16 tourism development projects are underway in Hamedan, adding that with the implementation of the projects, the ground would be paved for development of tourism industry in this province.
As for the publicity measures taken by Iran Tourism Organization for development of tourism sector, Vahdati referred to the postal cards and posters of Hamedan Province tourist sites, adding, "The guide book for tourists will be published in Persian and English languages in the near future. There are two four-star, two three-star, one one-star hotels as well as a number of guesthouses and 65 restaurants in Hamedan Province, Vahdati said, adding that lack of coordination among organizations in charge of tourism activities, insufficient investment in tourism sector, lack of experienced guides familiar with foreign languages, and lack of appropriate information-transmission system are the main problems besetting tourism sector of Hamedan Province. Vahdati also stressed that one of the main problems in tourism sector is that there are too many decision-making and executive bodies in this sector, adding that such bodies and different tourism-related organs should be merged.
He further emphasized that the government should support investment by the private sector in tourism industry, adding that renovation, reconstruction and preservation of historical monuments and tourist sites as well as legal support, will pave the way for promotion of tourism in the country. In conclusion, Vahdati named Ali-Sadr Cave as one of the most attractive tourist sites of Hamedan Province, saying that some 4,850 foreign tourists and 2.5 million Iranian tourists visited the tourist sites of Hamedan last year.
He expressed hope that through removing the current problems in the tourism sector, the number of tourists who visit Hamedan will be increased in the future.