TEHRAN – Ezzatollah Zarghami, the minister of cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts, has undertaken a one-day visit to West Azarbaijan, packed with significant cultural heritage and tourism-related activities.

The minister, along with his delegation, arrived in Urmia on Saturday to inaugurate several projects, inspect ongoing restorations, and participate in a number of meetings. 
Minister’s trip started early in the morning, paying a visit to Badelbou castle, where he appreciated ongoing restoration efforts aimed at repurposing the old structure into a boutique hotel. 
Moreover, provincial officials provided updates on the castle’s condition, the boutique hotel’s construction, and access routes to this historic recreational area.
The minister promised to address the issues identified and emphasized the need to expedite restoration efforts through necessary cooperation.

Highlighting the favorable climate of West Azarbaijan and Urmia as a significant opportunity for attracting tourists, he stressed that promoting tourism complexes and infrastructure is crucial for tourism development.

In his next stopover, Zarghami visited Hedayat ancient school which now welcome enthusiasts as a handicraft center.
“The intersection of the ministry’s three missions is evident in the handicrafts house,” he noted. “Which serves as a platform for showcasing both artisans’ products and tourism attractions.”

The handicrafts house, the minister underscored, provides a valuable opportunity for artists to conduct both introductory and advanced training courses alongside master artisans in their fields.

Zarghami expressed satisfaction with the collaborative efforts in establishing the handicrafts house in West Azarbaijan, describing it as a commendable initiative that could serve as a national model for similar projects.

The Minister also toured the historical Ansari house in Urmia, a Qajar-era building currently undergoing restoration under the supervision of the provincial cultural heritage department. Once completed, this house will be repurposed as a boutique hotel, according to the local officials.

Zarghami also paid visits to various sections of the Jame Mosque of Urmia, examining the condition of this historical structure. He affirmed that the ministry would allocate necessary funds for the project.
“The planned square around the Jame Mosque should be designed to reflect traditional styles and harmonize with the surrounding environment,” Zarghami pinpointed.

Furthermore, the minister visited the Safavid-era Urmia Bazaar and engaged with the vendors. In addition to purchasing items from the vendors, Zarghami explored the traditional bathhouse within the bazaar. He held a candid discussion with several locals and shopkeepers, addressing their requests and concerns.
At the end of the minister’s one-day trip, some 41 projects in the fields of infrastructure, tourism, and restoration of cultural heritage provincewide, were inaugurated via webinar.

XF/AM