Hotel News Professional and Inclusive Hospitality Group

Official news agency of Iran Hotel Industry

Search result...

Iranian Tour Operators Association pursues tourist visas resumption

Iranian Tour Operators Association is formulating a proposal for the resumption of tourist visas after months of suspension amid strict government measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus. “Iranian visas are being granted to medical tourists… and we have requested the Foreign Ministry to issue the same permits for the applicants of other tourism arenas,” ISNA quoted Ebrahim Pourfaraj who presides the association, as saying on Monday. “In a meeting with Seyyed Kazem Sajjadi, the deputy Foreign Minister for Consular, Parliamentary, and Expatriates Affairs, I was supposed to provide some information and a plan for re-issuing [tourist] visas,” he explained. The veteran expert has asked the government to issue tourist visas for the international applicants who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “The Ministry of Health and the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control can at least agree that the international tourists who have received the [second dose of] coronavirus vaccine would be allowed to enter Iran.” Last month, he lamented that the continuation of such a trend would result in losing international tourist markets more than before. “Or at least they should make it clear so that we can respond appropriately to foreign companies and tourists to not to miss the international tourist markets more than before.” Pourfaraj believes that the reasonable prices of Iran tours are expected to bring back the boom into the tourism sector of the country in the post coronavirus era. “Attractive tour plans are also being prepared for those who are eager to explore the historical attractions and natural wonders of the ancient country and want to experience a vacation here.” Pourfaraj also expressed hope that international tour operators and companies who have worked with their Iranian counterparts for years, would put Iran back on the world’s travel route again, considering the facilities they can get at cheaper prices than in other countries. Last November, the World Tourism Organization announced that international tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of 2020 when compared to 2019, highlighting the severe impact of COVID-19 as the main factor. Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan in October 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. Last 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. Furthermore, the minister also noted that 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.” 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.” The ancient land embraces hundreds of historical sites 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, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Apr 15, 2021 Edit: Apr 15, 2021 Regional News

French, German archaeologists expected to resume excavations in northeast Iran

The tourism chief of Iran’s North Khorasan has announced plans to resume several excavations across the northeastern province using the expertise of archaeological teams from France and Germany. “Joint archaeological excavations with German archaeologists are planned to resume across Tepe Rivi if the coronavirus situation allows,” ILNA quoted Habib Yazdanpanah as saying on Saturday. “Moreover, we have are perusing to restart work on the historical town of Faruj with the presence of French archaeologists,” the official said. Last October, experts from the Louvre and the University of Tehran were granted a license to conduct a new round of excavation on the ancient town of Faruj. “Experts from the University of Tehran and the Louvre museum in Paris will conduct a new season of archeological excavation in the ruined city of Faruj with a permit obtained from the Research Institute of Cultural Heritage & Tourism,” according to Iranian archaeologist Meysam Labbaf-Khaniki. In the same year, experts from the Louvre and the University of Tehran unearthed the ramparts and towers of an ancient fortress, believed to date from the times of Parthians (247 BC – 224 CE) in Viran-Shahr near Faruj. Furthermore, teams of Iranian and German archaeologists have completed several archaeological seasons across Tepe Rivi, which has so far revealed magnificent remains of the Bronze Age up to the Sassanid period. Archaeological research works in Rivi started in 2012. Since then archaeologists accessed remains of settlements from the Bronze and Iron Age, the Achaemenid, the Parthian, the Sassanid dynasties, and the early Islamic period. The previous rounds of research had been hired various experts in archeology, geography, geophysics, geomorphology, and ecology who took part from the [Ludwig Maximilian] University of Munich; the [Free] University of Berlin; the University of Tehran; and Shahid Beheshti University, the report said. Based on the studies, various architectural and archaeological evidence from the Parthian and the Sassanid era were discovered in the Rivi site, which is situated in Maneh-Samalqan county of modern North Khorasan. The evidence, according to Mohammad-Javad Jafari who headed the fifth season of archaeological excavation at Rivi site, indicates the sequence of settlement in the area in the aftermath of the Achaemenid era, according to the Archaeology News Network. In 2019, several historical clay stamps, estimated to date from the Achaemenid and Parthian eras, were discovered in the ancient site. “The seals were found alongside clay urns in a large hall and the seals are imprinted in a variety of geometric patterns [depicting] plants, animals, and human figures. Studying the findings can yield valuable information on the economy, culture, and arts of the ancient societies,” Jafari said. These stamps represent the widespread and complicated economic relations that people of the time had with other communities in such a way that made them bring together and store goods.” Evidence suggests that residents of this area sealed the urns that were loaded with particular goods then tied them with ropes, the archaeologist said. The history of Khorasan stretches back to very ancient times. It was part of the Achaemenian Empire of the 6th to 4th century BC and the Parthian empire, which spanned from the 3rd century BC to the 3rd century CE.

Create: Apr 11, 2021 Edit: Apr 11, 2021 Regional News

Restoration to begin on ancient castle in western Iran

The ancient castle of Hassan-Abad in the western province of Kordestan is scheduled to be revived and restored in near future, the provincial tourism chief has said. The castle, which is estimated to date back to the Parthian era (247 BC – 224 CE) and the Sassanid era (224 CE–651), is one of the magnificent tourist attractions of the province, Yaqub Guylian announced on Saturday. The fortification was built to protect the residents of the nearby city and included residential houses as well as military equipment to help defend the city against invaders, the official added. Aside from the high wall of the castle, it also has three guard towers, each of which is 400 meters away from the main fence of the fortress, he explained. He also noted that the castle is only accessed through a southern part of the hill it sits on, and it is difficult to reach the castle. From very early history to modern times, defensive walls have often been necessary for cities to survive in an ever-changing world of invasion and conquest. Fortifications in antiquity were designed primarily to defeat attempts at the escalade, and to the defense of territories in warfare, and were also used to solidify rule in a region during peacetime. Uruk in ancient Sumer (Mesopotamia) is one of the world’s oldest known walled cities. The Ancient Egyptians also built fortresses on the frontiers of the Nile Valley to protect against invaders from neighboring territories. Many of the fortifications of the ancient world were built with mud brick, often leaving them no more than mounds of dirt for today’s archaeologists. The name Kordestan refers to the region’s principal inhabitants. After the Turkish invasion of Iran in the 11th century CE (Seljuq period), the name Kurdistan was applied to the region comprising the northwestern Zagros Mountains. It was during the reign of Abbas I the Great of Iran’s Safavid dynasty (1501–1736) that the Kurds rose to prominence, having been enlisted by Abbas I to help stem the attacks of the marauding Uzbeks from the east in the early 17th century.

Create: Apr 11, 2021 Edit: Apr 11, 2021 Regional News

Famed Iranian archaeologist Mir-Abedin Kaboli dies at 76

Mir-Abedin Kaboli, a celebrated Iranian archaeologist who took part in various excavations across the Iranian plateau, died on Thursday at the age of 76. Born in 1943 in Babol, northern Iran, Kaboli started his professional career at the general directorate of archeology in 1971 and since then he has participated in many archeological excavations in Haft Tappeh, Tapeh Abu Fandowa, and Shahdad, amongst some other sites, ISNA reported. Excavations at Shahdad, an ancient site in southeast Kerman province, was one of his most famed missions, which yielded jewelry from the 3rd millennium BC. An archaeological team, led by Kaboli, discovered the ruins of a developed ancient city with industrial and residential areas and a graveyard after fourteen stages of excavations in Shahdad. Kaboli was honored in 2016 as one of the greats of Iran's cultural heritage. He died of kidney failure in his hometown.

Create: Apr 3, 2021 Edit: Apr 3, 2021 Regional News

Iranian tour operators ask government to issue visas for vaccinated travelers

Head of the Iranian Tour Operators Association Ebrahim Pourfaraj has asked the government to issue tourist visas for the international applicants who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. “The Ministry of Health and the National Headquarters for Coronavirus Control can at least agree that the international tourists who have received the [second dose of] coronavirus vaccine would be allowed to enter Iran,” Pourfaraj said. He also lamented that the continuation of such a trend would result in losing international tourist markets more than before. “Or at least they should make it clear so that we can respond appropriately to foreign companies and tourists to not to miss the international tourist markets more than before.” Earlier this month, he said that the reasonable prices of Iran tours are expected to bring back the boom into the tourism sector of the country in the post coronavirus era. “Attractive tour plans are also being prepared for those who are eager to explore the historical attractions and natural wonders of the ancient country and want to experience a vacation here,” Pourfaraj said. He also expressed hope that international tour operators and companies who have worked with their Iranian counterparts for years, would put Iran back on the world’s travel route again, considering the facilities they can get at cheaper prices than in other countries. Referring to health tourism as a popular branch in Iran, he noted that medical services in Iran are provided at a lower price than what may be offered at double the price in other countries. Back in January, he announced that the tourist flow from across the world to Iran will return to normal in 2022. Although there are requests for traveling to Iran in the current year (2021), most travel agencies and tour operators believe that the flow will go back to normal in the next year, he explained. “Beginning mass vaccination against the coronavirus will provide better and safe conditions for international travels in 2022.” Last November, the World Tourism Organization announced that international tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of 2020 when compared to 2019, highlighting the severe impact of COVID-19 as the main factor. Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan in October 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. Last 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. Furthermore, the minister also noted that 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.” 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.” The ancient land embraces hundreds of historical sites 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, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Mar 16, 2021 Edit: Mar 16, 2021 Regional News

Iran, Slovakia seek to expand tourism ties

Iran and Slovakia on Thursday held an online meeting, in which high-level tourism officials, tour operators, and hoteliers discussed ways to boost tourism ties between the two countries in the post-coronavirus era. A key priority for Iran’s tourism sector is to restore tourism ties with previous markets and expand into new international markets such as Slovakia when the coronavirus crisis comes to an end, Mohammad Qasemi, the director for marketing and advertising at the tourism ministry said, IRNA reported. Regarding the unique characteristics and features of Iranian tourism as a different destination for the visitors from Slovakia, he emphasized the need for enhanced private sector relationships between the two countries to lead to the development of an efficient bilateral tourism exchange. Emphasizing the two countries’ capacity for caving, hydrotherapy, skiing, and national and natural parks, he also suggested that successful experiences be shared through training workshops and courses between the two sides. Elsewhere in his remarks, the Iranian official reminded the tremendous impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic on global tourism, adding that the Iranian government has provided support for travel businesses affected by the disease. The Slovak delegation also hailed the expansion of ties in the arenas of tourism and cultural heritage. Moreover, the Slovak Association of Tour Operators & Travel Agents (SACKA) expressed readiness to start bilateral tourism as soon as the virus is contained. The two centuries also agreed to draft a memorandum of understanding to lay the ground for further cooperation including fam tours for media personnel and tour operators. Last November, the World Tourism Organization announced that international tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of 2020 when compared to 2019, highlighting the severe impact of COVID-19 as the main factor. Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan in October 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. Last 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. He also noted that 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.” Optimistic forecasts, however, 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). Iran welcomed some 7.8 million foreign nationals a year earlier, achieving a 52.5 percent increase year on year. The ancient land embraces hundreds of historical sites 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, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

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

Iran to allocate some $240,000 for Great Wall of Gorgan restoration

Iran will set aside ten billion rials (some $240,000 at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) for the restoration of the Great Wall of Gorgan, Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Sunday. Situated in the city of Gorgan, the capital of northern Golestan province, the defensive wall is about 200 km in length, and it was built to prevent the invasion of the northern tribes. It is said to be the longest architectural work of ancient Iran, which was built in 90 years. “We will allocate one billion tomans (ten billion rials) of credit for the restoration of the Great Wall of Gorgan, so that with this credit, the measures for the restoration of this wall, along with aerial imaging and mapping, will be carried out as preliminaries for [the possible] UNESCO registration,” Mounesan said. The minister made the remarks in a meeting with provincial officials and cultural figures during his visit to the lush green province. Last December, Mounesan’s deputy for cultural heritage, Mohammad-Hassan Talebian, said: “Gaining a UNESCO tag for the Great Wall of Gorgan -- one of the longest brick barriers of the ancient world -- is not hard as it is comparable to the Great Wall of China in terms of age, function, and size.” Although there are some issues and obstacles, further efforts to preserve and restore the millennia-old wall could be an acceptable justification for UNESCO to add this structure to the World Heritage list, Talebian explained. To get to that point, complete and accurate mapping of the remnants of the wall is needed, for which a budget of 20 billion rials ($476,000 at the official rate of 42,000 rials) has been allocated so far official added. He also noted that if the mapping project comes to an end by the end of the current Iranian year 1399 (March 20, 2021), the inscription of the wall on the World Heritage list would be discussed and possibly approved by the end of the next summer. Also known as Red Wall, which in some ancient texts is referred to as the Red Snake, this wall is the longest brick ancient barrier between Central Europe and China, longer than Hadrian’s Wall and the Antonine Wall put together and the third-largest wall in the world after the walls of China and Germany. Most parts of the gigantic monument are still hidden underneath the surface through some segments that have so far been unearthed and even restored to former glory. Archaeological excavations have so far identified ditches, brick kilns, earthen dams, water canals, 38 forts, and watchtowers attached to the wall, and more than 25 castles in the southern margin of the wall as well as several ancient sites from prehistoric, historic, and Islamic eras. The gigantic barrier is also more than three times the length of the longest late Roman defensive wall built from scratch, the Anastasian Wall west of Constantinople. The combined area of the forts on the Gorgan Wall exceeds that of those on Hadrian’s Wall about threefold. According to UNESCO, the Gorgan Wall is remarkable not only in terms of its physical scale but even more so in terms of its technical sophistication. To enable construction works, canals had to be dug along the course of the defensive barrier to provide the water needed for brick production. These canals received their water from supplier canals, which bridged the Gorgan River via qanats. One of these, the Sadd-e Garkaz, survives to 700 m in length and 20 m in height but was originally almost one kilometer long. The Gorgan Wall and its associated ancient military monuments provide a unique testimony to the engineering skills and military organization of the Sassanian Empire. They help to explain its geographic extent, from Mesopotamia to the west of the Indian Subcontinent, and how effective border defense contributed to the Empire’s prosperity in the interior and its longevity. These monuments are, in terms of their scale, historical importance, and sophistication, of global significance. Golestan is reportedly embracing some 2,500 historical and natural sites, with UNESCO-registered Gonbad-e Qabus – a one-millennium-old brick tower – amongst its most famous.

Create: Mar 9, 2021 Edit: Mar 9, 2021 Regional News

Tourism minister cuts ribbon on accommodation centers in Kashan

Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan inaugurated a hotel and two traditional guesthouses during his visit to the central city of Kashan on Tuesday. A budget of five trillion rials ($119 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) has been allocated for the establishment of the hotel, which is estimated to generate 120 job opportunities, CHTN reported. The total budget for traditional guesthouses also amounts to 170 billion rials ($4 million), the report added. The guesthouses are expected to create 40 new jobs as well. There is an additional 160 beds to the hospitality sector in the city with the inauguration of the accommodation centers. Kashan is a historical city near Isfahan in the central part of Iran. Its history dates back to over ten thousand years ago, and it is home to some of the most beautiful buildings featuring Islamic architecture. Many travelers opt to pass Kashan on their journeys between Tehran, Isfahan, Shiraz and Yazd, because this delightful oasis city on the edge of the Dasht-e Kavir, is one of Iran’s most alluring destinations. Kashan not only boasts a cluster of architectural wonders, an atmospheric covered bazaar, and a UNESCO-recognized garden, but it also offers some of central Iran’s best traditional hotels. The annual Golab-giri (rosewater distillation) ceremony of Kashan attracts huge crowds to the city every year. Some of the most ancient traces of civilization have been discovered near Kashan, at the Sialk archeological site.

Create: Mar 7, 2021 Edit: Mar 7, 2021 Regional News

SALA Hospitality Group Unveils sala bang pa-in on an Island in the Chao Phraya River

SALA Hospitality Group, Thailand’s homegrown design-led hospitality company, has unveiled the latest addition to its curated collection of beachfront resorts and boutique hotels: sala bang pa-in, a chic and stylish new riverside retreat that allows guests to escape the city, unwind in nature and learn about Thai history. With a fleet of boats awaiting to transport guests on immersive excursions, including complimentary transfers to and from the Summer Palace, every traveller can uncover the rich heritage of a charming yet relatively undiscovered part of the Kingdom. Scheduled to open its doors on 1st May 2021, sala bang pa-in will become the group’s ninth property in Thailand and the fifth member of sala boutique, a portfolio of intimate hotels situated in picturesque locations, many of which are filled with historical significance. Nestled on an island in the Chao Phraya River between Ayutthaya and Bangkok, Thailand’s ancient and modern capitals, Bang Pa-in is an exceptional addition to this anthology. This also marks the latest collaboration between SALA Hospitality Group and Twitee Vajrabhaya Teparkum from the Department of Architecture Co., the acclaimed Bangkok-based design studio, following the successful openings of Six Senses Samui and SALA Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort. In the era of the Ayutthaya Kingdom, it is said that King Ekathosarot (reign from 1605 to 1620) was shipwrecked on an island in the Chao Phraya, Thailand’s “River of Kings”, as he sailed to the royal palace. There he met a woman living on the island and fell in love. Their alleged son, King Prasat Thong (reign from 1629 or 1630 to 1656) decided to build a palace in Bang Pa-in, as a tribute to the home of his mother[1]. Today, this “Summer Palace” remains an enchanting attraction that echoes the elegance of a bygone era, and guests at sala bang pa-in will be able to discover its secrets with complimentary daily boat services. Celebrating this destination’s vivid backstory and natural beauty, sala bang pa-in is a contemporary boutique retreat that puts guests on the doorstep of the Summer Palace. The hotel houses just 24 deluxe rooms and pool villas, all of which reflect a modern minimalist design concept and cutting-edge technology, such as high-end sound systems with smartphone connectivity, LED TVs and Espresso machines in every villa. Each spa-inspired bathroom comprises a separate bathtub and rain shower, and all 10 villas open out onto expansive riverside terraces with daybeds and private pools. The top room category, the spectacular three-bedroom river view presidential pool villa, offers 484 square metres of indoor and alfresco living space, making it ideal for families and groups of friends. Endless days can be spent exploring this intriguing area aboard the hotel’s own handcrafted 40ft wooden motorboat built by a renowned local boat builder in Ayutthaya, which offers river cruises to the Summer Palace (included in the room rate), along with daily sightseeing tours and sunset cocktail cruises. Alternatively, a luxurious 26ft speedboat is available for half- and full-day private charters and intimate group events. Bang Pa-in is an enticing option for visitors who want to embrace the great outdoors, with plenty of scenic cycling routes to and from the hotel, including a 50km loop that encompasses Ayutthaya and the Summer Palace, and secure bike parking at the hotel. Guests can also jog along a path that winds around the property and along the riverbank, relax with in-room spa and massage services, or plunge into the inviting outdoor swimming pool, which stretches 30 metres along the waterfront. Delectable dining experiences can be enjoyed at sala bang pa-in eatery and bar, its riverside restaurant. The menu of Thai and international cuisine highlights ingredients grown in the hotel’s onsite garden, accompanied by global wines, craft beers and creative cocktails. Indoor and outdoor seating is available with panoramic vistas. Within a short driving distance of Bangkok, sala bang pa-in is also an outstanding destination for out-of-town events, weddings and company away days. The 2nd floor multi-purpose meeting room, with its balcony and floor-to-ceiling glass doors, can host inspiring gatherings of up to 20 delegates, the 240sqm river-facing lawn is ideal for weddings, and the entire property can be reserved for unforgettable social or corporate occasions. sala bang pa-in will be led by Mr. Volkert Geertsen, a highly respected international hotelier and Cluster General Manager for sala boutique. The Chao Phraya is a legendary river that weaves timeless tales of Thailand’s past as it winds through the landscape. Now for the first time, curious explorers can discover the fables and folklore of Bang Pa-in, the home of the Summer Palace, while staying in a boutique hotel that delivers world-class experiences for couples, families and groups alike. Just a short distance from Bangkok, yet surrounded by unspoiled scenery, this is a captivating destination for urbanites who want to escape the city and unwind in peace and tranquility. We look forward to welcoming guests to sala bang pa-in, demonstrating our trademark sense of style and showcasing the grace and grandeur of Old Siam,” Mr. Geertsen commented. sala bang pa-in joins sala rattanakosin Bangkok, sala lanna Chiang Mai, sala ayutthaya and sala khaoyai in the sala boutique portfolio. Like all its sister hotels, it infuses the genuine warmth of Thai hospitality with a focus on authentic art, design and culinary creativity. And of course, guests can rest assured that their health and hygiene is SALA Hospitality Group’s top priority. Every property adheres to the SALA Safe programme, which ensures the safety of customers whilst preserving the core guest experience. The full list of measures can be found on the SALA Hospitality Group website. sala bang pa-in is located just 60km north of downtown Bangkok, 28km from the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ayutthaya Historical Park, 41km from Don Mueang International Airport and 74km from Suvarnabhumi International Airport, making it ideal for domestic and international visitors alike.

Create: Mar 6, 2021 Edit: Mar 6, 2021 International News

New light shed on Persepolis

An archaeological discovery lately been made in the vicinity of Persepolis has shed new light on the once ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid empire. Excavations and surveys on Tall-e-Ajori, which is situated in the surrounding areas of the UNESCO-registered Persepolis, are expected to help archaeologists uncover more about the history of the royal city. Regarding the significance of such excavations around Persepolis, the director of the World Heritage site on Wednesday noted: “[Some] half of the ancient world was led and managed from the Persepolis.” There is ample evidence for the claim, which could be found across the Marvdasht plain, which is also home to the UNESCO-registered Pasargadae, and several historical sites as well as villages and small towns scattered in an area of 85,000 hectares around Persepolis, Hamid Fadaei added. However, protecting and preserving such a vast area would be a challenging and time-consuming task, he explained. The official also noted that besides the archeological significance, the ecosystem and natural resources, and capacities of the area should be taken into consideration. Supervised by a joint mission of Iranian and Italian archaeologists and cultural heritage experts, the excavations on Tall-e-Ajori uncovered vestiges of a massive gateway measuring 30 by 40 meters with a height of approximately 12 meters. The archaeologists succeeded in proving that Cyrus had ordered the construction of the gateway near Persepolis in Tall-e-Ajori and that this magnificent gateway had been put into operation during the reign of his son Cambyses. “The building had a corridor in the center, which was in form of a rectangular room measuring eight by twelve meters, and inside this central room, there were four living chairs. And the central corridor opened on both sides to the Achaemenid campus,” according to Alireza Askari-Charoudi who is a senior Iranian archaeologist. The royal city of Persepolis ranks among the archaeological sites which have no equivalent, considering its unique architecture, urban planning, construction technology, and art. Persepolis, also known as Takht-e Jamshid, whose magnificent ruins rest at the foot of Kuh-e Rahmat (Mountain of Mercy) is situated 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Shiraz in Fars province. The city was burnt by Alexander the Great in 330 BC apparently as revenge to the Persians because it seems the Persian King Xerxes had burnt the Greek City of Athens around 150 years earlier. The city’s immense terrace was begun about 518 BC by Darius the Great, the Achaemenid Empire’s king. On this terrace, successive kings erected a series of architecturally stunning palatial buildings, among them the massive Apadana palace and the Throne Hall (“Hundred-Column Hall”). This 13-ha ensemble of majestic approaches, monumental stairways, throne rooms (Apadana), reception rooms, and dependencies is classified among the world’s greatest archaeological sites. Persepolis was the seat of the government of the Achaemenid Empire, though it was designed primarily to be a showplace and spectacular center for the receptions and festivals of the kings and their empire. The site is marked by a large terrace with its east side abutting the Kuh-e Rahmat (“Mount of Mercy”). The other three sides are formed by a retaining wall, varying in height with the slope of the ground from 13 to 41 feet (4 to 12 meters); on the west side, a magnificent double stair in two flights of 111 short stone steps leads to the top. On the terrace are the ruins of several colossal buildings, all constructed of a dark gray stone (often polished to a marble-like surface) from the adjacent mountain. According to Britannica, the stone was cut with the utmost precision into blocks of great size, which were laid without mortar; many of them are still in place. Especially striking are the huge columns, 13 of which still stand in the audience hall of Darius I (the Great; reigned 522–486 BC), known as the Apadana, the name given to a similar hall built by Darius at Susa. There are two more columns still standing in the entrance hall of the Gate of Xerxes, and a third has been assembled there from its broken pieces. In 1933 two sets of gold and silver plates recording in the three forms of cuneiform—ancient Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian—the boundaries of the Persian empire were discovered in the foundations of Darius’s hall of audience. Several inscriptions, cut in stone, of Darius I, Xerxes I, and Artaxerxes III indicate to which monarch the various buildings were attributed.

Create: Mar 6, 2021 Edit: Mar 6, 2021 Regional News

Affordable prices expected to bring back boom into Iran tourism

The reasonable prices of Iran tours are expected to bring back the boom into the tourism sector of the country in post coronavirus era, the head of the Iranian Tour Operators Association has said. “Attractive tour plans are also being prepared for those who are eager to explore the historical attractions and natural wonders of the ancient country and want to experience a vacation here,” Ebrahim Pourfaraj said on Thursday. He also expressed hope that international tour operators and companies who have worked with their Iranian counterparts for years, would put Iran back on the world’s travel route again, considering the facilities they can get at cheaper prices than in other countries. Referring to health tourism as a popular branch in Iran, he noted that medical services in Iran are provided at a lower price than what may be offered at double the price in other countries. Back in January, the official announced that the tourist flow from across the world to Iran will return to normal in 2022. Although there are requests for traveling to Iran in the current year (2021), most travel agencies and tour operators believe that the flow will go back to normal in the next year, he explained. Beginning mass vaccination against the coronavirus will provide better and safe conditions for international travels in 2022, he added. Last November, the World Tourism Organization announced that international tourist arrivals to Iran plunged 72% during the first eight months of 2020 when compared to 2019, highlighting the severe impact of COVID-19 as the main factor. Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan in October 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. Last 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. He also noted that 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.” Optimistic forecasts, however, 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). Iran welcomed some 7.8 million foreign nationals a year earlier, achieving a 52.5 percent increase year on year. The ancient land embraces hundreds of historical sites 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, the country aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Mar 6, 2021 Edit: Mar 6, 2021 Regional News