TEHRAN – On Wednesday, the 13th edition of the Pars International Tourism Exhibition opened its doors to a diverse gathering of people from across Iran as well as 30 guests from 9 different countries.

This notable event, which also coincides with the fourteenth National Handicrafts Exhibition, commenced in Shiraz, the capital of Fars province, as announced by Ahmadreza Naqibzadeh, the secretary of the exhibition.

Naqibzadeh highlighted the significance of this international exhibition, stating, “We are witnessing the participation of guests from various nations, with 30 guests representing 9 different countries gracing our event.”

He emphasized the exhibition’s unique features, attributing its success to the collaboration between the private and public sectors.

Furthermore, a dedicated team of 30 executives, predominantly comprising individuals from the private tourism sector, is actively engaged in this exhibition, he said.

Simultaneously, alongside the tourism exhibition, the fourteenth National Handicrafts Exhibition is underway in the Fars province, marking a moment of delight. Naqibzadeh expressed his pleasure at this conjunction, stating, “The coexistence of the National Handicrafts Exhibition in Fars province alongside our tourism event is indeed a commendable occurrence.”

Additionally, he highlighted the participation of Iranian ethnic groups alongside other tourism stakeholders in Fars province as a positive development.

According to ISNA, 195 artisans representing thirty provinces across the country are exhibiting their crafts at the event.

The four-day exhibition continues to be a platform fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange, while the National Handicrafts Exhibition shines a spotlight on the rich tapestry of traditional Iranian crafts, showcasing the nation’s artistic heritage to both local and global audiences.

Celebrated as the heartland of Persian culture for over 2000 years, Shiraz has become synonymous with education, nightingales, poetry, and crafts skills passed down from generation to generation. It was one of the most important cities in the medieval Islamic world and was the Iranian capital during the Zand dynasty from 1751 to 1794.

Shiraz is home to some of the country’s most magnificent buildings and sights. Increasingly, it draws more and more foreign and domestic sightseers flocking to this provincial capital.

Eram Garden, Afif-Abad Garden, Tomb of Hafez, Tomb of Sa’di, Jameh Mosque of Atigh, and Persepolis are among the historical, cultural, and ancient sites of Shiraz that are of interest to domestic and foreign tourists.

The ancient city is also home to some magnificent historical gardens, such as Bagh-e Narenjestan and Eram Garden, which are top tourist destinations both for domestic and international sightseers.

The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 27 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

AFM