TEHRAN - Qazvin province has experienced a 13 percent increase in the number of visits to its tourist attractions during the first half of the current Iranian calendar year (started on March 20), compared to the same period last year.

More than 1.8 million people visited Qazvin’s historical and cultural sites in the first half of the year which shows a 13 percent rise year on year, the deputy provincial tourism chief Nader Mohammadi said on Monday.

Dowlat-Khaneh Safavi (“Safavid Government Complex”), the Sa’d al-Saltaneh Caravanserai, the religious shrine of Imamzadeh Hossein, and the historical attractions of Alamut and Avaj draw the largest numbers of tourists during the period, the official said.

In addition, Mohammadi noted a 17 percent rise in the number of tourists staying in the province’s accommodation facilities, including hotels, guesthouses, and eco-lodges, with over 459,000 visitors making use of these services during the first six months of the year.

“This upward trend in both visitor numbers and the use of accommodation reflects the province’s commitment to developing tourism and encouraging investment in this sector,” Mohammadi said.

Looking ahead, Qazvin has planned several events to attract more tourists during the autumn and winter seasons, including a traditional food festival and a sweets festival, with participation from provinces across Iran.

Mohammadi also highlighted the 25 percent growth in the issuance of preliminary permits for new tourism facilities in the province, emphasizing the government’s efforts to support investment in the construction and development of accommodation and recreational centers.

Situated some 160 km northwest of Tehran, Qazvin was the capital of the Safavid Empire for over forty years (1555–1598 CE) and is nowadays known as the calligraphy capital of Iran.

AM