Iran Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization and Department of Environment signed a memorandum of understanding, ICHTO’s Public Relations Office reported.
The agreement conditions permits for tourism projects with environmental impacts to DoE approval, according to IRNA.
As per the MoU, guesthouses, hotels, inns, pensions, roadside lodges and eateries, shops, parking lots, motels and auto repair shops, which have more than 120 beds or expanded over an area of two hectares, should be evaluated for their effects on the environment.
The accord has also made environmental assessments compulsory for camping sites with more than 150 tents, recreational and tourism complexes built in over five hectares, seaside installations, and mineral bathhouses.
The organization is duty-bound to refer the projects to DoE for environmental appraisal prior to issuance of permits.
Evaluation will be carried out based on methods set by the department.

Narenjestan-e Qavam is a fascinating and pleasant garden, the fragrant trees and flowers of which have given it a beautiful and poetical atmosphere. Inside the garden which is known as “Narenjestan“ because of its bitter orange trees, we come across an old building complex whose exquisite architecture is admired by all viewers.
The structure of this building is one of the outstanding artistic masterpieces of Shiraz artists, and dates back to the 19th century. All the graceful and unique decorations were completed in about five years.
These constructions were designed by Ebrahim Khan-e-Qavam (prime minister during the reigns of the two Qajar kings, Aqa Mohammad Khan and Fath Ali Shah) and carry the symbols of that era’s architecture. A walk through the garden proves to be a pleasing experience so much that leaving the scenes of nature’s beauty, enhanced by admirable works of art is difficult to do.
This building was used as the Birooni building (to receive people out of the family circle). The complex was the domicile of governor’s court of Fars during the Qajar period. It also includes Zinat-al-Mulk house, designed and used as Andarooni (the home for only the close family). The two buildings are examples of traditional residential architecture in Iran.
These buildings were granted to Shiraz University in 1966.
Narenjestan was used by the Asian Institute under famous archeologist, Professor Arthur Upham Pope, between 1969 and 1979. The complex is part of the faculty of Art and Architecture of Shiraz University since 1998.
The other parts of the complex were: private bathhouse; public bathhouse; Hosseiniyeh (building for religious ceremonies); detention house; and stable. The detention house and stable no longer exist.

A view of Tehran Grand Bazaar

A hotel will be constructed to the south of Tehran Grand Bazaar within the framework of a comprehensive plan to restore the historically, culturally and economically significant marketplace located in southern part of the capital.
The scheme aims to provide visitors to the traditional marketplace with better welfare amenities.
Drafters of the project opine that the bazaar will turn into the largest historical hub of the metropolis, once its ancient identity has been revived through implementation of the scheme.
A hotel, a few lodges and several rest areas are planned to improve services and facilities offered to visitors from home and abroad.
Manager of the plan for restoring, reviving and equipping Tehran Bazaar told CHN, “Over 40 percent of the bazaar which includes valuable historical monuments has been repaired and restored--a big stride in improving its current traditional atmosphere.“
Farrokh Zonouzi added that services and facilities should be improved in the bazaar to meet visitors’ demands.
“A hotel, funded by private investors, is planned to be built in the southern wing of the bazaar, where there are no historic monuments,“ the official expanded.
As per the plan, several information centers would be launched to inform sightseers of cultural values as well as historical background of the traditional marketplace, he stated.
According to Zonouzi, the plan has designated the greater and lesser souks, Sabzeh Meydan, Hafez School, Imamzadeh Zeyd Shrine, the Grand Mosque as well as the Aremenians’ church as tourism spots of the traditional marketplace.
The scheme has adopted new initiatives to ease traffic snarl-ups in streets leading to the bazaar.

Kish Island boasts 60 recreational and tourism sites including historic monuments, gardens, sport clubs and shopping malls.

The number of hotel beds in the Persian Gulf resort Island of Kish rose to 12,000 in the current year (started March 21), showing a 100-percent growth compared to four years ago.
At present, the island is prepared to host tourists in 63 accommodation centers with over 4,800 rooms, ILNA reported.
Apart from efforts to increase the number of lodges, Kish tourism officials are preoccupied with promoting the quality of services offered to vacationers on the island. This is demonstrated by the fact that four- and five-star hotels’ share of the total beds increased to 25.5 percent in 2004 from 11.7 percent in 2001.
Setting out construction of the giant tourism complex named Gol-e Sharq (Flower of the East), commissioning of the five-star Dariush Hotel with 185 rooms and a colossal dolphinarium, inauguration of phase I of the underground city known as Kariz--a scheme to revive island’s ancient aqueducts--are among the projects carried out in the island within the past four years to woo more travelers.
Within this period, excavations have been going on in Harireh ancient city, exclusive men’s and women’s beaches have been established, and a cultural and sports complex for women is being built in a bid to make Kish more palatable for tourists. There are 80 eateries with a total capacity to host in excess of 9,500 people.
Some 22 travel agencies and six aviation companies render tour services in Kish.
Extended over 93 square kilometers, the tiny Persian Gulf island draws more than one million domestic and foreign tourists each year, which is exceptional nationwide given the island’s area and population.

Mellat Park in Rasht, Caspian Gilan province (Photo by IRNA)

Credits set aside for enhancing cultural heritage sites and tourism potentials of West Azarbaijan province have increased nine-fold this year (started March 21), reaching 110 billion rials.
Director general of provincial Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department, Mohammad Ashtari, added that over 20 million rials of the budget had been set aside for restoration of ancient artifacts and buying historical monuments.
He mentioned the historic monuments which are to get a facelift as Sardar Mosque in Orumiyeh, the mosques of Motallebkhan and Seyyedoshohada in Khoy, Mahabad Jame’ Mosque, the wooden building of Orumiyeh University, Baghcheh-Jooq Palace in Maku as well as the Khoy Bazaar.
According to the official, reconstruction of the road leading to Souleh Dakal Waterfall, completion of Takht-e Soleiman installations, establishment of camping sites in Chaldoran parks and spa are other provincial projects to be implemented with a credit of 18 billion rials.
Ashtari listed studies on the old texture of Maku, restoration of Chaldoran’s Saint Thaddeus Church, restoration of Bardouk Palace in Orumiyeh dating back to Safavid era as well as revival of Baghcheh-Jooq Palace’s garden in an area of 10 hectares as the national schemes in West Azarbaijan.
Other national projects comprise purchasing 12,000 sq.m. of land for building a museum as well as purchasing the old Orumiyeh Police building, conducting archeological surveys on Takht-e Soleiman historic site in Takab as well as the ancient city of Rabat.
Studying Orumiyeh Lake, building roadside rest areas, boosting infrastructure required for Takht-e Soleiman, studying tourism potentials in Band region, developing areas surrounding the Shahr-e Chai Dam, enhancing facilities near Sahoulan Cave as well as holding a tribes and religions festival in Orumiyeh are the province’s national plans in tourism sector.
West Azarbaijan province boasts 1,107 historic sites, of which 427 have been registered on National Heritage List, while Takht-e Soleiman has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Deputy head of Qazvin Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department for cultural and communication affairs said permits had been issued for construction of five hotels in the province in a bid to promote tourism industry, IRNA reported.
Mohammad-Ali Hazratiha added the permits pertained to construction of a three-star hotel in Takestan, a two-star hotel in Alborz, a four-star hotel in Minoodar, a three-star hotel in Qazvin and a one-star hotel in Razmian.
He noted that the projects would all be funded privately, adding the investors would be entitled to bank loans by the department, proportionate to their progress and the amount of capital they put in.
Putting the hotel occupancy rate at over 80 percent in the province, he added that once the new hotels are inaugurated, the rate would decline to 60 percent.
He cited regulations based on which one-star hotels should have at least 30 beds, while four-star ones will possess 320 beds.
Hazratiha added that Qazvin province would possess its first three- and four-star hotels once the projects are accomplished.
Given the existence of some 2,000 industrial units and over 1,000 registered monuments in the province, it is highly crucial to expand the local accommodation capacity, he said, adding the current hotels cannot even meet the demands of the industrial sector.
Qazvin hosts a large number of businessmen particularly from European countries each year, he added.
More than 40 million passengers traveling on north-south and east-west routes, cross the province each year.
The two current hotels can only put up 240 visitors.
Hazratiha concluded, “In spite of its numerous sightseeing and historical potentials such as the Alamut Castle, most tours are scheduled on a daily basis.“

Tourists’ dissatisfaction with their trips can adversely affect efforts to draw visitors, said an official with Isfahan Cultural Heritage and Tourism Department.
Mohsen Moslehi, in charge of the Office for Supervision and Technical Standards, told IRNA, “If tourists are happy with their trip, they will convey their satisfaction to some 20 friends trying to encourage them to travel to the same place. However, they will recount their negative experiences to more than 40 other people. And this would be the worst counter-publicity for tourism.“
Undoubtedly, satisfaction with the services and facilities available in the destination can act as a strong incentive for second visits to the same place, he observed, describing efficient management of facilities and resources as key parameters in tourism promotion.
Referring to obstacles against development of the industry, he stated that high quality of services can prolong stay periods and hence the national revenues.
Moslehi further revealed the results of a survey conducted on 1,000 tourists from 10 different nationalities who had stayed in three-, four- and five-star hotels in Isfahan.
According to him, the survey focused on prices and quality of services offered by tour operators such as visits to natural, historical and handicraft places.
“Totally 75 percent of tourists from Germany, France, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Italy, England, Spain and Switzerland said accommodation and reception had been excellent,’ he added.
Moslehi explained that 69 percent of them had traveled to Iran for sightseeing purposes, 20 percent were on business and 11 percent for research purposes.
“Another 7 percent of the sample population described as excellent Isfahan’s historic attractions and 79 percent said they found the natural attractions and local customs as excellent,“ he mentioned.
“Some 63 percent of the foreign guests evaluated as excellent the quality of handicrafts, 70 percent the management and skills of tour operators, 89 percent the tour guides’ behavior, 75 percent the status and hospitality of hotels and 69 percent the hygienic conditions in hotels.“
He went on, “To 62 percent, the food served in Isfahan hotels was excellent. Also 62 percent of them believed the hotel charges were excellent, while 33 percent appraised them as average.“