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Sa’dabad historical complex reopens as virus curbs eased

The Sa’dabad Cultural-Historical Complex on Tuesday reopened its doors to the public as some restrictions over the coronavirus pandemic have been relaxed in Tehran.According to the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control, Tehran province is in the low-risk “yellow” zone and museums and historical sites across the province could reopen and resume their activities. Iran closed cultural heritage museums and historical sites across the country in a preventive measure amid fears of coronavirus outbreak last February, but as the coronavirus lockdown was eased, they were reopened in early May.Due to a sharp rise in the number of coronavirus infections and deaths, museums and all art and cultural centers, universities, schools, seminaries, English schools, libraries, movie theaters, mosques, beauty salons, and several other entities went on lockdown during July.The closure continued during November over the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. In June, Mohammadreza Kargar, the tourism ministry’s director for museums and historical properties announced that Iranian museums and historical sites have taken 600 billion rials (about $14.2 million) hit from the coronavirus outbreak.If the country was in normal condition, the museums would host over 25 million visitors, but now they have faced a huge loss as there is almost no visitor to the museums, he noted.In October, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan warned that Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism would be in a critical situation if the crises caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus would be continuing.With the outbreak of the coronavirus, museums were at the forefront of closures and for several months now, they have not had any revenue from the sale of tickets, Mounesan explained.Meanwhile, the ministry is facing a shortage of funds in the field of cultural heritage, which causes problems for maintaining and preserving 34,000 National Heritage properties as well as 24 UNESCO-tagged sites, the official explained.It was estimated that museums would earn about 300 billion rials (about $7.1 million) in the first quarter of the year, but over the coronavirus pandemic they did not even come close to this figure, he added.In July, Mounesan said that revenues from museums were almost eight billion rials (about $190,000) during the first three months of the current Iranian calendar year (started March 20, 2020), a sharp decline compared to around 300 billion rials (over $7 million) in the same period last year. Earlier this week, the minister said that Iran’s tourism has suffered a loss of over 140 trillion rials (about $3.33 billion) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. Sprawled on about 110 hectares of a mountainside parkland in northern Tehran, the Sadabad Cultural-Historical Complex is used to be a royal summer residence during the Qajar and Pahlavi eras.The complex was initially established and inhabited by some Qajar monarchs in the 19th century. It has undergone further expansions from the 1920s until the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The site embraces a variety of buildings, some of which turned to be house museums showcasing a wide range of royal families’ memorabilia including lavishly-made furniture, dishware, automobiles, carpets, and miniature paintings.

Create: Jan 27, 2021 Edit: Jan 27, 2021 Regional News

AC Hotel Scottsdale North Opens in Arizona

AC Hotels by Marriott:registered: , the design-led lifestyle brand from Marriott International, announced today the opening of the 165-room AC Hotel Scottsdale North, inviting travelers to experience a stylish hotel adjacent to world-class shopping at Kierland Commons and palm lined storefronts of the Scottsdale Quarter. Located in a desirable shopping and entertainment district in Scottsdale, the anticipated new hotel embodies AC Hotels’ brand promise of going beyond the conventions of travel to create experiences that strike the perfect balance of details that guests want and the services they need.Developed by Host Hotels and Resorts and managed by OTO Development, the hotel introduces purposeful, curated, and elevated style along with AC Hotels’ signature beverage and food programming. Built by general contractor DPR with architecture and interior design services by DLR Group, the design of AC Hotels’ first hotel in Scottsdale draws from the surrounding desert landscape offering reprieve from the sun and evoking the shadow of surrounding mountains. Crisp white accents contrasting the dark architectural backdrop creates a contemporary palette enhancing the European aesthetic of the AC Hotel by Marriott brand. The project is striving for LEED Silver certification.AC Hotel Scottsdale North takes shape with sophisticated and clean-lined interiors offering a respite to the arid desert environment outside. Inspired by the desert at night, the public space celebrates an active and invigorated setting for guests to explore. Black wood tambour walls, and dark chestnut millwork connects the design narrative inside out and reinforces the native desert inspiration. Quality sourced art and timeless, modern touches evoke the feeling of a well-curated gallery. Embracing AC Hotels’ focus on harmonious design and tailored style, the hotel features minimalist guest rooms that allow travelers to use the space in whatever way they see fit.A signature offering of the brand includes an innovative beverage and food program at the hotel’s AC Kitchen, where European-inspired breakfast features signature butter croissants imported from France, artisan cured meats, such as thinly sliced Italian Prosciutto from AC’s iconic Berkel slicing machine, an international selection of cheeses, as well as yogurts and cereals, seasonal fruits and local specialties.The hotel’s AC Lounge:registered: invites travelers and locals to enjoy expertly crafted cocktails, local craft beers and wines, and a concise food menu inspired by the tapas of Spain. Of particular note is the hotel’s signature cocktail, the Scottsdale Spire, named for the iconic 125-foot steel and glass spire originally designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Crafted with vodka, dry vermouth and blue curacao, this specialty cocktail is topped with a sugar “fire” float, creating an entertaining and delicious experience.

Create: Jan 26, 2021 Edit: Jan 26, 2021 International News

Kimpton St Honoré Paris Set for Spring Opening in France

Unveiling a new chapter in its European expansion, IHG:registered: Hotels & Resorts’ boutique luxury brand, Kimpton:registered: Hotels & Restaurants, will open its first property in France this spring. The opening of Kimpton St Honoré Paris will see the brand’s playful and sophisticated design, innovative approach to restaurants and bars, and immersive guest experiences that foster genuine human connections, offer a fresh perspective on hospitality in the City of Light.Kimpton St Honoré Paris will breathe new life into a heritage building which once housed the much-loved luxury department store “Samaritaine de Luxe”. Located on the Boulevard des Capucines in Paris’ Opéra district, the hotel will infuse true Kimpton style, harmoniously blending luxury and creativity across 149 stylish guest rooms (including 24 suites), an indoor swimming pool, gym and a Spa with luxury treatment rooms. Its landmark original 1917 Art Nouveau façade, distinctive staircase and unique elevator will all be thoughtfully restored and celebrated French interior designer Charles Zana is transforming the spaces to bring Kimpton’s elegant and playful design to life within. Hotel interiors will be inspired by 1930’s Art Deco and each guest room will have the feel of a chic, modern, design-centric Parisian apartment, with balconies, floor-to-ceiling windows and thoughtfully-selected works of art.Culinary and cocktail experiences at Kimpton St Honoré Paris will bring a refreshing light-heartedness and authenticity in its service to the neighbourhood, with exciting outlets and Kimpton’s famed daily Social Hour offering the opportunity for guests to enjoy interesting, locally inspired drinks and swap stories. The light-filled ground-floor will see a Californian-inspired restaurant and bar designed by Humbert & Poyet set to combine light, seaside-inspired recipes infused with American generosity. On the tenth-floor rooftop, a terrace bar with 360-degree views of the city will welcome guests for unique cocktails and bites cleverly paired with social moments in mind, set to become as popular with locals as with visitors to Paris.With 25 years of experience in luxury hospitality, Jean-Paul Dantil, who has been appointed General Manager of Kimpton St Honoré Paris, comments: “France is famed for its hospitality, and Paris for its art, design, culture and admiration of originality, so we are thrilled to be delivering Kimpton’s philosophy of relaxed, stylish and uniquely personal service with this magnificent new flagship hotel. The opening of Kimpton St Honoré will bring with it a refreshing sense of joie de vivre, reinvigorating a building associated with traditional luxury and infusing it with a modern approach to indulgence which welcomes, acknowledges and celebrates the individual without the fuss.”Founded in 1981 in San Francisco by Bill Kimpton, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants’ heartfelt approach to hospitality has translated to unique, design-led hotels across city centres, beachside resorts, and mountain getaways around the world. Kimpton’s recent notable new openings include Kimpton:registered: Maa-Lai Bangkok, Kimpton:registered: Shinjuku Tokyo, Kimpton:registered: Clocktower Hotel in Manchester, UK and Kimpton:registered: Vividora Hotel in Barcelona. The brand is also set to make its debut in Bali this year, and more hotels are in the pipeline for Germany, Mexico, Malaysia, China, Hong Kong and the Netherlands in the next 2-5 years.

Create: Jan 26, 2021 Edit: Jan 26, 2021 International News

Marriott International Signs Agreement With Mario Julen to Bring The Ritz-Carlton Brand to the Swiss Alps

Marriott International today announced it has signed an agreement with Mario Julen to bring The Ritz-Carlton brand to Zermatt, debuting the first Ritz-Carlton ski resort in Europe. Expected to open in 2026, the 69-guest room property will bring the brand’s legendary service and elegant design to the world-famous Swiss resort destination. Once open, the property will serve as the second Ritz-Carlton hotel in Switzerland, joining The Ritz-Carlton Hotel de la Paix, Geneva.“We are thrilled to announce this milestone signing with Mario Julen who has a fantastic vision for the project,” said Satya Anand, President, Marriott International Europe, Middle East and Africa. “Zermatt is synonymous with outstanding skiing, mountaineering and jaw-dropping scenery. As the epitome of modern luxury, this landmark development and stunning destination will enhance our portfolio of iconic Ritz-Carlton properties across the globe, offering guests an exciting opportunity to experience Zermatt’s year-round snowy peaks, world-class ski slopes, and the iconic Matterhorn mountain. Today’s signing reflects the heightened demand for our luxury hospitality brands across Europe, Middle East and Africa.”The Ritz-Carlton, Zermatt will be designed by award-winning Paris-based firm AW² led by partner architects Reda Amalou and Stéphanie Ledoux, with the architectural and interior design expected to offer a refined take on the classic mountain chalet. The property will offer unobstructed views of Matterhorn from both guestrooms and dining establishments. Design plans are slated to feature two restaurants and two bars, an outdoor terrace for alfresco dining, and a private dining room for intimate gatherings. An array of recreational activities such as ‘ski-in ski-out’ access to the slopes, a tranquil spa with a gym and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools are part of the vision for guests to enjoy. The resort is also expected to offer meeting and event facilities.“This is an emotional project for me as I have worked passionately for many years to bring it to life. It is not only a declaration of love to my hometown of Zermatt, but also to the luxury hotel business and its ability to inspire travel. As the first major, international brand in Zermatt, my wish is that this project will bring a new level of hospitality to the Swiss Alps,” said Mario Julien.Zermatt affords unrivalled skiing for all levels, climbing across the Matterhorn peak as well as easy access to Cervinia in Italy for off-piste, heli-skiing and glacier skiing in the summer months. The town is well renowned for its après-ski activities offering outstanding restaurants and luxurious retail. Visitors can travel to Zermatt from Geneva and Zurich international airports in under four hours by train through enchanting Alpine scenery, or via private helicopter.

Create: Jan 26, 2021 Edit: Jan 26, 2021 International News

Coronavirus causes $59m damage to Hamedan’s tourism

The tourism industry of the west-central province of Hamedan has taken some 2.48 trillion rials ($59 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) hit from the coronavirus outbreak over the past couple of months. As the Persian New Year (Noruz) holidays is the golden time for the tourism sector, if the restrictions and lockdown continue to the next Iranian year 1400 (starting March 20), irreparable damage will be done to this sector, the provincial tourism chief Ali Malmir said on Saturday. Accommodation centers, hotels, restaurants, and halls have suffered major damages during the time as well, the official added. Back in December, the official announced that the Iranian government has paid 70 billion rials (about $1.7 million) in loans to the tourism businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic in the province. He also noted that there are 180 hotels, apartment hotels, eco-lodge units, and travel agencies across the province, which generate jobs for a total of 2,000 people. In late October, deputy tourism chief Vali Teymouri said that a new support package to pay loans to businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic was approved by Iran’s National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control. He also announced that depending on the type and activity of the businesses, they could benefit from at least 160 million rials (some $3,800) to nine billion rials (some $214,000) of bank loans with a 12-percent interest rate. The loans would be allocated to tourist guides, travel agencies, tourism transport companies, tourism educational institutions, eco-lodges and traditional accommodations, hotels, apartment hotels, motels, and guesthouses as well as traditional accommodation centers, tourism complexes, and recreational centers, the official explained. In September, Teymouri said that around 1.3 million tourism workers in the country were facing problems due to the coronavirus crisis. In October, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan warned that Iran’s cultural heritage and tourism will be in a critical situation if the crises caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus continue. In August, Mounesan said that Iran’s tourism has suffered a loss of 12 trillion rials (some $2.85 billion) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic. The government has allocated a 750-trillion-rial (about $18 billion) package to help low-income households and small- and medium-sized enterprises suffered from coronavirus concerns. Optimistic forecasts, however, expect Iran to achieve a tourism boom after coronavirus is contained, believing its impact would be temporary and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. 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: Jan 25, 2021 Edit: Jan 25, 2021 Regional News

15 eco-lodge units to come on stream in eastern Iran

A total of 15 eco-lodges , which are currently being constructed across the eastern South Khorasan province, will come on stream by the end of the current Iranian calendar year (Mach 20). Establishing eco-lodge units could help boost tourism in the region, while it generates job opportunities in the rural areas, the provincial tourism chief has said. Some 80 eco-lodge units have been inaugurated across the province over the past four years, which has provided the ground for attracting more domestic and foreign tourists, Hassan Ramezani announced on Sunday. Last April, the official announced that the number of eco-lodge units has increased by fourfold in the province within a year. “Some 25 eco-lodge [units] existed across the province at the end of the [Iranian year] 1397 (March 2019) while the figure has reached 100, eighty of which are operational.” In December 2019, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan inaugurated eleven eco-lodges during his visit to the province. Last November, the minister referred to the eco-lodges inaugurated across the country and noted that increasing the number of units could create job opportunities in rural areas and boost tourist arrivals in these regions. He also noted that promoting ecotourism can help reverse migration and attract more foreign tourists. Apart from eco-lodge units, there are also boutique hotels and traditional accommodation centers which could flourish the tourism sector and provide infrastructure in these regions, Mounesan mentioned. The tourism ministry has set a target to help build 2,000 eco-lodges by 2021, believing such guest houses could cater to sustainable development and job creation in the countryside and rural areas. Experts say each eco-lodge unit generates jobs for seven to eight people on average so that the scheme could create 160,000 jobs. The culturally-diverse country never disappoints visitors when it comes to eco-tourism, sightseeing, and even tribal tourism as it is home to many regional people including ones with Turk and Arab elements in addition to the Kurds, Baloch, Bakhtyari, Lurs, and other smaller minorities such as Armenians, Assyrians, Jews, and others.

Create: Jan 25, 2021 Edit: Jan 25, 2021 Regional News

Iraqi Airways resumes flights to Iran after one-month halt

Iraq’s flag career Iraqi Airways has resumed flights to Iran after one month of hiatus over the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRNA reported on Sunday. Flights from Najaf to Tehran and Najaf to Mashhad and vice versa have been scheduled to be operated since Saturday, the report added. Although issuing visas on arrival for tourists has been suspended, Iraqis with Iranian spouses and their children, Iraqis residing in Iran or those seeking medical treatment in Iran, as well as students and businessmen can travel to the country. Back in August, senior Iranian aviation official, Maqsoud As’adi-Samani, announced that wearing masks and following health protocols during the flights as well as carrying a health certificate with a negative coronavirus PCR test result is mandatory for travelers. Over the past couple of months, many countries, including the Islamic Republic, imposed travel restrictions to help curb the spread of novel coronavirus. In this line, incoming and outgoing flights have been suspended, and road travels restricted to a great extent. The pandemic has taken a huge toll on Iran’s civil aviation sector with reports showing that airlines lost hundreds of millions of dollars because of flight cancellations during the busy New Year travel season in late March. Some experts expect Iran to 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. 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: Jan 25, 2021 Edit: Jan 25, 2021 Regional News

The half-price currency for travel tickets with foreign airlines will be removed

Proposal of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development to the government; The subsidence of travel tickets with foreign airlines should be removed from the list of recipients of half price dollar and calculated at the rate of real price of the market. This proposal has been proposed considering the importance of preserving the country's foreign exchange resources and with the aim of creating balance in the market and preventing any possible abuse of exchange rate differences.

Create: Dec 20, 2020 Edit: Dec 20, 2020 Regional News

What will be the future of international travel with the discovery of the corona vaccine?

Peter Kern, CEO of Expedia Group; People seem to feel more comfortable about how safe air travel and hotels are. Thanks to the precautionary measures taken by the tourism industry, the level of reservations is now slowly increasing.

Create: Dec 12, 2020 Edit: Dec 12, 2020 International News

Denial of the news of the conversion of Iran tourism hotels into a convalescent home for Coronavirus patients

"Mohammad Reza Pooyandeh", CEO of Iran Tourism Investment Company; Whenever it is necessary to turn Iran tourism hotels into a convalescent home for Coronavirus patients, this hotel group will undoubtedly be at the forefront of implementing this plan. At present, none of the units of the Iran Tourism Group has joined this project.

Create: Dec 2, 2020 Edit: Dec 2, 2020 Regional News

Entry of tourist tours to Loot desert of Shahdad is prohibited

✨ Director of Loot Shahdad Desert World Heritage Site; 🔹 According to the decree of the Corona headquarters, all tourist tours to the Loot desert of Shahdad are prohibited until December 6 of this year. 🔹 Due to its inclusion in the World Heritage List, the Shahdad desert region is constantly monitored and any group and individual tourist tours are prevented.

Create: Nov 27, 2020 Edit: Nov 27, 2020 Regional News

Kish talks with Qatar to receive passengers for the 2022 World Cup

"Mohsen Gharib" Secretary General of the Association of Investors and Entrepreneurs of Kish Island announced; We are consulting with Qatari officials and people related to the 2022 World Cup games so that we can receive some of the passengers and visitors of this event on Kish Island.

Create: Nov 24, 2020 Edit: Nov 24, 2020 Regional News