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Tehran tourism fair opens; activists hope for boom when corona vaccine is ever-present

Tehran’s international tourism and handicrafts fair opened to the public on Tuesday in defiance of a government campaign to improve the hugely-battered travel sector in the face of the novel coronavirus. Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan and his deputies for tourism, and handicrafts were amongst attendees to the opening ceremony of the fair, which is underway at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds. Activists, including tour operators, hoteliers, transport businesses, and tour guides, are hopeful that such days would be numbered at the COVID-19 vaccine is getting more widespread. Since it first surfaced late in 2019, the pandemic has created a greater demand for experiences away from crowds, which is opposite to many traveling pillars. Experts say that such preference for solo travel would probably continue till a coronavirus vaccine is ever-present. “Safe and Responsible Travels” has been picked as the motto of the four-day event that according to organizers could help boost synergy among the two sectors as people have a chance to visit them maybe in a day-long visit! The event is being held according to health protocols announced by the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, and following the necessary coordination with the relevant agencies in this field, according to Vali Teymouri, the deputy minister for tourism. Travel agencies, airlines, sea or rail companies, entrepreneurs, startups, banks, insurance brokers, agents or hospitals in charge of health, medical tourism, sports clubs, pilgrimage & eco-tourism companies, representatives of hotels, guesthouses, touristic villages, and free zones are amongst exhibitors in the tourism sector. Furthermore, tens of booths and stands in various exhibition halls have been dedicated to craftspeople, artisans, live performers, and tribespeople who are coming together from every corner of the ancient land to promote skills inherited from generation to generation. Though its main goal of the sales exhibit is to make money and sails of the handicrafts, souvenirs, foodstuff, and various other regional products, it can be a venue for dialogue between exhibitors and visitors and even visiting officials, according to organizers. The fair showcase arrays of personal ornamentation, woodwork, illuminated manuscript, miniature, textile printing, enamel, leatherwork, handwoven textile, calligraphy, traditional musical instrument, metalwork, and marquetry among tens of others while nomadic culinary arts, live workshops, and performances that would gather own fans every corner. Iran 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 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. So it will undeniably try its best to achieve a relatively ambitious goal but when that happens the travel industry is likely to look more altered.

Create: Feb 24, 2021 Edit: Feb 24, 2021 Regional News

Private sector establishing tourist complexes in Ardebil

A total of six tourist complexes are under construction in northwestern Ardebil province, the provincial tourism chief has said. “With private sector investment, three complexes in Sarein and three complexes in Meshkinshahr are being built,” CHTN quoted Nader Fallahi as saying on Monday. A budget of 4.3 trillion rials ($102 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) has been allocated to the projects, some of which are complete by 70 percent, the official added. The projects are expected to generate over 340 job opportunities as well as attract more tourists and travelers to the region after the coronavirus crisis comes to an end, he explained. Earlier in January, the official announced that more than 150 tourism-related projects are underway across the province although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought travel and tourism to a near-standstill. He also noted that the projects would prepare the province’s tourism sector for the post-coronavirus era when the number of tourists and travelers is expected to rise magnificently. Last April tourism authorities of the province announced that they have developed extensive plans to draw more tourists during the winter season to the province and make it the winter tourism hub of the country. Back in November Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said that investment in the tourism sector and boosting tourism infrastructure hasn’t stopped despite the outbreak of the coronavirus in the country. Over the past years, a large number of tourism projects have been commenced across the country, some of which have come on stream, he added. This volume of investment indicates that investors have high hopes for the future of this industry in the post-coronavirus era and for the next years to come, the tourism minister said. Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardebil is well-known for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble. The province is very cold in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardebil is usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

Create: Feb 22, 2021 Edit: Feb 24, 2021 Regional News

Tourism minister honors exemplary crafters, artisans

Iranian tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan and his deputy for handicrafts, Pouya Mahmoudian, honored some exemplary crafters and artisans on Saturday. Behruz Zarindashti in ceramic and Sara Hedayat in costume designing received Silver Cypress, during the closing ceremony of the 5th Fajr national handicrafts festival, one of Iran’s major crafts shows held in the National Museum of Iran. Furthermore, Zeinab Masudi in illumination, Abbas Jalalikia in woodwork, Saru Moqerchian in metalwork, and Vajiheh Sadat Jalali in woodcarving received honorable mentions, according to organizers. Two the recently-deceased veteran crafters; Ahmad Shishegar, who was a master of tilework, and Amir Saeim, a master of toreutics, were honored posthumously during the ceremony, which was attended by tens of artists, crafters, and cultural officials as well. Over 150 crafters practicing different fields of handicrafts participated in this edition of the festival, of which several were honored during the ceremony. This edition of the festival, which brings together works from all over the country and is a venue for showcasing tens of ancient and modern Iranian handicrafts, was held entirely online due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event showcased woodwork, illuminated manuscript, miniature, textile printing, enamel, leatherwork, calligraphy, metalwork, mirrorwork, and marquetry, among others. It also featured potteries, ceramics, personal ornamentation, rugs, and kilim carpets. With 14 entries, Iran ranks first globally for the number of cities and villages registered by the World Crafts Council, as China with seven entries, Chile with four, and India with three ones come next. In January 2020, the cities of Shiraz, Malayer, and Zanjan and the village of Qassemabad were designated by the WCC- Asia Pacific Region, putting Iran’s number of world crafts cities and villages from ten to 14. Shiraz was named a “world city of [diverse] handicrafts”. Malayer was made a global hub for woodcarving and carved-wood furniture. Zanjan gained the title of a “world city of filigree”. And Qassemabad village, which is nationally known for its traditional costumes, was also promoted to a world hub of handicrafts. Chador Shab, a kind of homemade outer-garment for women, was, however, the main subject for the WCC assessment for the village. Iran exported $523 million worth of handicrafts during the calendar year 1398 (ended March 19, 2020). Of the figure, some $273 million worth of handicrafts were exported officially through customs, and about $250 million was earned via suitcase trade (allowed for customs-free and tax-free transfer) through various provinces, according to data provided by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts. Ceramics, pottery vessels, handwoven cloths as well as personal ornamentations with precious and semi-precious gemstones are traditionally exported to Iraq, Afghanistan, Germany, the U.S., the UK, and other countries.

Create: Feb 22, 2021 Edit: Feb 22, 2021 Regional News

Iran’s largest beach park to be built in Kish

The country’s largest beach park is planned to be established in the Persian Gulf island of Kish, southern Iran. Hundreds of hectares of coastal lands on Kish Island have been ratified to be turned into a beach park, which would be the largest of its kind in the country, the CEO of Kish Civil, Water, and Urban Services Abolfazl Tayyebi said on Saturday. One of [public] benefits from the implementation of this project is that some 388,000 square meters of valuable beaches will not be ceded to the private sector, the official added. In many cities and countries of the world, nowadays, most of the beaches are owned by individuals and the private sector, and due to construction near the sea, they are out of reach of people and tourists, the official explained. With such a project and establishing facilities for the public on the island’s coastline, no one could encroach on this precious treasure that belongs to all Iranians, he noted. Amongst the Persian Gulf islands, Kish is the more luxurious and developed. Except for its unique nature such as waters and shallow beaches, the tourist attractions of this charming island are due to its rich historical background as well as kind and hospitable people. About one million foreign and domestic tourists travel to the island every year and it is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iran as it has magnificent attractions such as Kariz Underground City, Harireh Ancient City, Greek Ship, and Grand Recreational Pier to name a few.

Create: Feb 21, 2021 Edit: Feb 21, 2021 Regional News

Foreign arrivals to Iran plunge 94 percent in face of virus

The number of foreign visitors to Iran plunged 94% in the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20, 2020), from a year earlier, government data showed on Wednesday, as the coronavirus pandemic takes a heavy toll of the tourism industry. “Some 450,000 foreign travelers arrived in Iran for mainly medical or trade purposes during the first nine months of the year… tightened measures to tackle the new coronavirus has reduced international travel to the country by 94 percent,” Vali Teymouri, the deputy tourism minister, announced on Wednesday. The global tourism industry has been plagued by the outbreak of the coronavirus for more than a year, which is a record in the history of this industry, the official noted. In an interview with the Tehran Times, the official noted: “We need to revise marketing strategies, and to redefine tourism products by paying great attention to nature tours, rural tourism, and ecotourism, agricultural tourism as a tool to empower local communities and travel businesses.” The coronavirus epidemic has ruined more than 1.5 million jobs in Iran’s travel sector, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said in December. “Over 1.5 million jobs have been lost in the tourism sector of Iran due to the COVID-19 disease…. Many of the tourism-insiders are now unemployed or they are staying at home,” Mounesan said. The county’s travel sector has suffered a loss of 140 trillion rials (some $3.3 billion at the official rate of 42,000 rials) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic till the end of Shahrivar (Sep. 21), the official added. Mounesan publicized last November that mass, unplanned travels are not approved, adding: “The outbreak of the coronavirus has caused damage to the tourism industry in Iran and [other parts of] the world in such a way that according to statistics, 50 million people are directly and indirectly exposed to unemployment due to the virus spread in the global scene…. yet, mass or unplanned and irresponsible travels are not approved to take place during the coronavirus era.” Smart and responsible traveling should replace "do not travel” recommendations, the minister stressed, adding: “In our country, Corona has caused problems in the tourism industry and the worrying point is the continuation of this trend.” Tourism [industry of Iran] was growing before the corona [outbreak], its revenues reached $11.7 billion in 2019, which accounted for 2.8% of GDP, near the average share of tourism in the world GDP, which was 3.2 percent, the minister explained. He said 8.7 million foreign nationals visited Iran during the past [Iranian] year (1398), adding that Iran was ranked as the second fastest-growing country in tourism based on data compiled by the World Tourism Organization. “On the onset of coronavirus, tourism faced a sharp decline in the world including our country. So that in the first three months of the current [Iranian] year the number of foreign tourists dropped to 74 --- it was reached almost zero!.”

Create: Feb 20, 2021 Edit: Feb 20, 2021 Regional News

Persian New Year: tourism ministry proposes models for domestic travels

With a month to go till the start of the Iranian New Year, which has long been associated with millions of domestic travels, the Iranian tourism minister wants to find a way to partially revive the already-slumped travels in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The tourism ministry has held several meetings with the National Headquarters for the Coronavirus Control during with we discussed the issues in detail. Based on our strategies, we proposed two travel models that can be implemented following health protocols in the country,” ISNA quoted Vali Teymouri, the deputy tourism minister, as saying on Thursday. The first [working] model for travels in the Iranian New Year, proposes travels by the means of package tours. “Throughout package tours, travelers benefit from services provided by the tour and they will definitely stay in authorized accommodation centers [and destinations] which are under the supervision of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts,” the official explained. For the second model, people do not go on tours, but when traveling to their destination city, they must stay in authorized accommodation centers, which are under the supervision of the ministry, to comply with all health protocols and maintain public health, Teymouri explained. Any other form of accommodation would be prohibited to curb the virus, he said. “To help prevent the spread of the coronavirus in Noruz 1400, the establishment of tourist camps, camping, tourists staying in places such as schools, shrines, husseiniyahs, etc. is prohibited, and this issue has been announced to the provincial governors.” The arteria of Noruz travels is expected to be announced in detail during the upcoming exhibition for tourism and handicrafts, which will be held in near future, he said. Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan publicized in November that mass, unplanned travels are not approved. “The outbreak of the coronavirus has caused damage to the tourism industry in Iran and [other parts of] the world in such a way that according to statistics, 50 million people are directly and indirectly exposed to unemployment due to the virus spread in the global scene…. yet, mass or unplanned and irresponsible travels are not approved to take place during the coronavirus era.” Smart and responsible traveling should replace "do not travel” recommendations, the minister stressed, adding: “In our country, Corona has caused problems in the tourism industry and the worrying point is the continuation of this trend.” “We are well aware of what the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control proclaims [the health protocols], hence as a proposal, we have formulated some smart, responsible travel packages by the implementation of which we could have secure travels,” the minister said. He has repeatedly announced that his ministry is in full coordination with the Ministry of Health for strictly implementing health protocols in travel destinations, hospitably centers, and museums, amongst others, underlining that “people’s health is our priority.” Tourism [industry of Iran] was growing before the corona [outbreak], its revenues reached $11.7 billion in 2019, which accounted for 2.8% of GDP, near the average share of tourism in the world GDP, which was 3.2 percent, the minister explained. Iranians traditionally make hundreds of thousands of domestic trips during the New Year holidays, when most businesses and workplaces are closed, as are schools.

Create: Feb 20, 2021 Edit: Feb 20, 2021 Regional News

Venezuelan minister to Visit Tehran to discuss tourism cooperation

Venezuelan Tourism and Foreign Trade Minister Felix Ramon Plasencia Gonzalez will visit Iran in the next few days to discuss tourism cooperation, Caracas’ Ambassador to Tehran Carlos Antonio Alcala Cordones has said. “Felix Plasencia is going to visit Iran next week to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on expansion of tourism cooperation with the Islamic Republic,” IRNA quoted the envoy as saying on Wednesday. The Venezuelan ambassador made the remarks on Wednesday night in a meeting with Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan, noting that Plasencia’s visit is aimed at paving the way for more collaboration in the tourism industry. The ambassador also noted that he has been in Iran for two years and it is obvious that a short visit by the Venezuelan minister will not give him enough time to get acquainted with the history and tourist attractions of the country, the report said. Cordones underlined that joint venture in the tourism industry will bolster ties between Iran and Venezuela and help the two countries’ economies. He further noted that Plasencia intends to offer a pavilion to Iran at the International Tourism Fair of Venezuela. For his part, Mounesan said that during a webinar with former Venezuelan tourism minister, both sides decided to expand tourism ties and hold an introductory tour. The Iranian minister added that the two countries are going to sign an MoU to expand cooperation in the tourism industry and that tourism practitioners from Venezuela and Iran will hold talks for future cooperation. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has determined a five-day trip for the Venezuelan delegation, but it seems that they are going to stay less time in Iran, he noted. The relationship between Venezuela and Iran became more serious following an official visit by the then Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to Tehran in 2001. Now, the two nations are determined to expand cooperation in tourism, the news agency explained. According to previous agreements, Venezuelan and Iranian nationals can have visa-free travels to each others' countries to stay for two weeks. The visit by the Venezuelan minister is expected to pave the ground for expansion of cooperation in cultural, economic, and political fields as well. Last November, Mounesan said that visa-free access and direct flights are the two important advantages for Iran and Venezuela to develop tourism cooperation. “We are ready to expand our relations with Venezuela in the arena of tourism by organizing familiarization tours in both countries with the participation of the private sector,” Mounesan said in a meeting with the Venezuelan ambassador. Back in October, Mounesan exchanged views with Plasencia, in a video conference to deepen tourism relations, especially through simplifying visa rules, launching fam tours, and setting up exhibits. They also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding in a bid to broaden bilateral ties. Iran 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 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. So it will undeniably try its best to achieve a relatively ambitious goal but when that happens the travel industry is likely to look more altered.

Create: Feb 20, 2021 Edit: Feb 20, 2021 Regional News

Egypt: Tourism companies liquidate assets to stay afloat

Egyptian tourism agencies are being forced to sell their assets in an attempt to stay afloat as a result of the drop in sales due to the global coronavirus pandemic, the head of the tourism and aviation division at the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce announced yesterday. Hossam El-Helou told local media that some of the companies had resorted to selling their assets at "any possible price as financial pressures increase." The country's tourism ministry recently said that it had allocated three billion Egyptian pounds ($192.1 million) in loans for business owners suffering from the implications of the pandemic, granting a "maximum of 30 million pounds [$1.9 million] to businessmen with one company", while lending "up to 40 million pounds [$2.56 million] for businessmen who own multiple firms." The ministry explained that the move had come due to the "continuation of the global crisis", noting that the loan was set at a five per cent interest "so business owners could retain their workers and pay their salaries." So far, a total of 174,426 people have contracted COVID-19 in Egypt, 10,050 of whom have died, and 135,349 others have recovered, according to Worldometer.

Create: Feb 17, 2021 Edit: Feb 17, 2021 International News

Tehran conference to explore cultural impact of coronavirus on tourism

The social and cultural impact of the novel coronavirus on the arenas of tourism and cultural heritage will be explored at a Tehran conference. The event is set to be held at the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & Tourism (RICHT) on February 17 and 18, according to organizers. Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan, and Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance Seyyed Abbas Salehi are scheduled to deliver opening speeches. A host of cultural experts, sociologists, academia, Iranologists, archaeologists, have been tourism insiders invited to the event. The average of international travels to and from Iran fell by 84 percent during the first nine months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20, 2020) from a year earlier. Passenger traffic from land and air borders during the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year, decreased by 84.57% in incoming passenger traffic and 84.33% decrease in outgoing passenger traffic, according to the Customs Administration. Furthermore, international tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of the year when compared to 2019, according to data compiled by the World Tourism Organization. Optimistic forecasts, expect the country would achieve a tourism boom after coronavirus contained, believing its impact would be temporary and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. According to a UNWTO Barometer, international arrivals plunged 81% last July and 79% in last August, traditionally the two busiest months of 2020 and the peak of the Northern Hemisphere summer season. The drop until August 2020 represents 700 million fewer arrivals compared to the same period in 2019 and translates into a loss of $730 billion in export revenues from international tourism. UNWTO’s Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in 2021, mostly in the third quarter of 2021. However, around 20% of experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022.

Create: Feb 17, 2021 Edit: Feb 17, 2021 Regional News

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2020 Results

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (NYSE: WH) today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2020. Highlights include: Diluted loss per share for the quarter was $0.08 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $0.07; diluted loss per share for the full-year was $1.42 and adjusted diluted earnings per share was $1.03. Net loss for the quarter was $7 million and adjusted net income was $7 million; net loss for the full-year was $132 million and adjusted net income was $96 million. Adjusted EBITDA was $56 million for the quarter and $327 million for the full-year. Global comparable RevPAR for the quarter declined 33% year-over-year; global comparable RevPAR for the year declined 35% year-over-year. System-wide rooms declined 4% year-over-year. Net cash provided by operating activities for the full-year was $67 million and free cash flow was $34 million. Paid quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share in fourth quarter, and Board of Directors recently authorized a 100% increase in the quarterly cash dividend to $0.16 per share beginning with the dividend expected to be declared in first quarter 2021. Repaid all remaining revolver credit facility borrowings. “We generated strong adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow in the worst year our industry has ever experienced. At the same time, we strengthened our portfolio with the completion of our strategic termination plan and drove sequential growth in hotel openings and our development pipeline,” said Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and chief executive officer. “Our non-urban, drive-to economy and midscale hotels, combined with our ongoing investment in sales and marketing, captured rising pent-up leisure travel demand, which continued to produce sequential RevPAR improvements and domestic market share gains for our franchisees over the course of 2020.” Fourth Quarter 2020 Operating Results Revenues declined from $492 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 to $296 million in the fourth quarter of 2020. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $70 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $126 million primarily reflecting a 33% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, as well as a $15 million decline in license and other fees also reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally. The Company generated a net loss of $7 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to net income of $64 million, or $0.68 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2019. The decrease of $71 million, or $0.76 per diluted share, was primarily due to the RevPAR and license fee declines, as well as excess marketing fund spend, which were partially offset by cost containment initiatives, lower volume-related expenses and the absence of transaction-related expenses. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release. Full-Year 2020 Operating Results Revenues declined from $2,053 million in 2019 to $1,300 million in 2020. The decline includes lower pass-through cost-reimbursement revenues of $273 million, which have no impact on adjusted EBITDA, in the Company’s hotel management business. Excluding cost-reimbursement revenues, revenues declined $480 million primarily reflecting a 35% decline in comparable RevPAR and the impact from hotels temporarily closed due to COVID-19, as well as a $47 million decline in license and other fees also reflecting the impact of COVID-19 on travel demand globally. The Company generated a net loss of $132 million, or $1.42 per diluted share, in 2020 compared to net income of $157 million, or $1.62 per diluted share, in 2019. The decline of $289 million, or $3.04 per diluted share, was primarily due to the revenue decline, impact of the non-cash impairment charges and excess marketing fund spend, which were partially offset by cost containment initiatives, lower volume-related, separation-related and transaction-related expenses and the absence of contract termination expenses. Full reconciliations of GAAP results to the Company’s non-GAAP adjusted measures for all reported periods appear in the tables to this press release.

Create: Feb 13, 2021 Edit: Feb 13, 2021 International News

Tourism projects worth $5.9b underway in Mazandaran

A total of 250 tourism-related projects worth 250 trillion rials ($5.9 billion at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) are being implemented across the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran. On Thursday, Seifollah Farzaneh, the provincial tourism chief, called on potential private investors to help fund the [unfinished] projects to have them implemented ahead of the schedule. “We expect all banks [and potential private investors] to come to the fore to help complete those projects, which are under construction and semi-finished.” This way a large number of native young people will be gaining employment opportunities when these projects are completed, the official said. Elsewhere in his remarks, the official pointed to several tourism projects recently inaugurated across the lush green province. Although the province’s tourism sector is struggling with different problems and issues due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, 23 tourism-related projects were inaugurated across the province on the occasion of Fajr celebrations (Jan. 31- Feb. 10, marking the victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution), he said. Worth 3.2 trillion rials ($76 million), the recently-inaugurated projects included a 20-room hotel and 22 eco-lodge units, which are expected to create 129 job opportunities for the locals, he explained. Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Ali-Asghar Mounesan announced in August 2020 that Iran’s travel sector had suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, however, he mentioned that all the tourism businesses across the country would have the capacity to fully resume their activities both in domestic and foreign markets. “Many tourism projects have been completed, or are being implemented, showing that a very good capacity has been created in the field of tourism in the country and [this trend] should not be stopped,” the minister stated. Mounesan added 2,451 tourism-related projects worth 1,370 trillion rials (around $32 billion) are being implemented across the country that signals a prosperous future for Iran’s tourism sector. The tourism minister also said the coronavirus pandemic should not bring traveling to a complete standstill. “Corona is a fact, but can the virus stop tourism? Certainly not. For us, the coronavirus is a new experience in dealing with crises that teaches tourism experts around the world how to deal with such a disaster, and thankfully governments are turning this into an opportunity for better planning.” Iran 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 24 being inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, it aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025. The latest available data show eight million tourists visited the Islamic Republic during the first ten months of the past Iranian calendar year (started March 21, 2019).

Create: Feb 13, 2021 Edit: Feb 13, 2021 Regional News

Angels Landing Partners Advance Plans for $2 Billion Twin-Tower Luxury Hotel Project in Downtown L.A.

Two acclaimed African American developers – Victor MacFarlane of MacFarlane Partners and R. Donahue Peebles of The Peebles Corporation – are doubling-down on their multi-million-dollar effort to bring thousands of new jobs and economic benefits to the nation’s second-largest city as development partners of Angels Landing, their $2 billion twin-tower luxury hotel project in downtown L.A.’s Bunker Hill neighborhood. MacFarlane and Peebles are majority-owner principals of Angels Landing Partners, LLC, the development partnership responsible for conceiving, designing, building, and operating Angels Landing. The partnership was officially selected by L.A. City officials at the conclusion of the city’s competitive bid process in 2017. Their partnership’s intentions are firmly focused on completing construction of Angels Landing before elite athletes, sports officials and tourists worldwide converge in L.A. for the 2028 Olympic Summer Games. Victor B. MacFarlane, chairman and CEO, MacFarlane Partners said, “Angels Landing aligns well with many of the projects we have built in the past 30 years throughout the U.S., including two residential developments recently completed near Pershing Square.” “The foundation of our business has always been to strengthen communities where we do business,” Mr. MacFarlane said. “We believe we can help communities prosper. We know Angels Landing will have a significant positive impact on L.A.’s economy. The ripple effect of Angels Landing’s substantial economic and employment activity will reverberate throughout L.A. County by providing good-paying union jobs to construct our hotel project and extensive career opportunities when the project is completed, and its hotels are open to the public. We have spent more than $10 million to move our project forward. We’re not letting the coronavirus pandemic slow us down. We anticipate our project entitlement this year,” he added. Angels Landing is comprised of two towers, each anchored by its own five-star hotel. In addition to the hotels, the development will feature an expansive modern urban park – known as Angels Landing Plaza – designed to serve as a pedestrian-centered, transit-adjacent, open space environment in the heart of downtown L.A. R. Donahue Peebles, Chairman and CEO, The Peebles Corporation said, “Equity and inclusion are bedrock principles at the Peebles Corporation. My success is predicated on opportunities I received because of those two important tenets. I have built an impressive collection of commercial and residential projects in New York, Washington, D.C., Miami, and other U.S. cities.” “In each city, I’ve been most excited about using my influence to empower Black-owned, Latino-owned, and women-owned business leaders. My company works diligently to help minority-owned enterprises grow their businesses through procurement contracts established through our development projects,” Mr. Peebles said. According to an analysis prepared by BJH Advisors, LLC., more than 8,300 new jobs will be created during Angels Landing’s project design and construction. The New York City-based firm’s report estimates Angels Landing would additionally create more than 800 permanent jobs in downtown L.A. An estimated 500 jobs would be created by vendors in the L.A. County region providing good and services to the two luxury hotels. In addition to new job creation, the BJH Advisors analysis projects Angels Landing would give L.A.’s local economy a $1.6 billion boost and contribute $731 million to local worker’s earnings during its construction. The project would generate as estimated 12 million in recurring tax revenues and $2.4 million annually in local property tax revenues, according to the report. “With Angels Landing, the transformative impact of empowerment and economic inclusion will be felt by an array of businesses, including Latino- and Asian-owned businesses. We have committed to a goal of 30% M/WBE contracting across the board for our project. We’re raising the bar for economic inclusion for development projects in Los Angeles,” Mr. Peebles added. Angels Landing Plaza will frame the angular, multi-level Bunker Hill site as a publicly accessible, privately managed park amenity, establishing it as a vibrant, inviting, and treasured locale for L.A.’s downtown neighborhood residents, weekday commuters, nightlife seekers, tourists, and hotel guests. L.A.’s historic Angel’s Flight funicular will operate on its hillside-climbing route contiguous to the Angels Landing development. “With our commitment to Angels Landing, we are committing to the future of downtown Los Angeles. Despite the millions of dollars expended so far to keep our project on-track, and notwithstanding the strong pandemic-induced recessionary pressures on L.A.’s economy, we continue to push hard to make our plans for Angels Landing a reality. Having recently completed our Park Fifth apartment complex, a two-building development adjacent to Pershing Square, Angels Landing represents our continued faith in the economic future of downtown Los Angeles,” Mr. MacFarlane said. Mr. Peebles said, “2020 was a trying year for nearly every sector in the business world. And the first three quarters of 2021 may be equally challenging. But we’ve faced big challenges in the past and always managed to prevail. The success of our development businesses is a testament to our drive and commitment to build projects that improve the quality of life in the communities where they’re built.” Mr. MacFarlane said, “The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has been significant this year. Some of those negative economic impacts, such as lagging job growth, are projected to extend well into 2021. But pessimistic economic indicators and projections have not shaken our resolve to build Angels Landing. We’re making our investment to create new jobs for L.A. area residents. We’re confident Angels Landing will help the L.A. economy rebound and gain strength. Angels Landing will create thousands of jobs that will result in millions of dollars circulating throughout the L.A. region providing a needed boost to small businesses.”

Create: Feb 11, 2021 Edit: Feb 11, 2021 International News