TEHRAN – Situated in the northern part of Kerman province, Anar county has accommodated 74,276 travelers which is twice Its population in the course of the Nowruz holidays.

The governor of Anar county announced that a total number of 74,276 New Year holidaymakers stayed in the county from March 15 to April 2.

Mohsen Salehi further detailed the figure, stating that throughout the two-week spring holidays, 22,176 Nowruz travelers found accommodation in various facilities including hotels and eco-lodges staying at least one night in the county.

Additionally, 52,100 travelers temporarily lodged in the county’s facilities for shorter durations, according to the governor.

Salehi also stated that Anar county due to its strategic location is known as ‘the gateway to Kerman province’.

“Anar serves as the entry point for over 20 provinces heading towards the southern and southeastern regions of Iran,” the governor noted “making it a hotspot for Nowruz holidaymakers.”

The official also pointed to one of the longstanding customs of the people of Anar county known as “Ash Shanbe Sal” which is cooking Ash-reshteh on the first Saturday of the new year.

As stated by the governor, although this year the blessed month of Ramadan coincided with the arrival of spring, despite fasting, the people of this region have not forgotten this custom and cooked Ash-reshteh on this day to enjoy it at iftar, sharing the joy with travelers.

"Efforts to boost tourism in Anar are underway, as evidenced by the unveiling plans for an "Anar Studies" seminar…,” Salehi stated.

Anar county, with a population of approximately 37,000, boasts numerous historical landmarks such as a Sasanian palace, a Shah Abbasi caravanserai, Davoudabad Castle, Yakhdan (icehouse), Abul-Hasan Khan's House, a historical Imamzadeh, an Ilkhanid shrine, and Aminabad water reservoir.

Renowned for its 18,000 hectares of pistachio orchards, Anar county is celebrated as Iran's finest pistachio producer.