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Perspective on tourism advertising needs improving, and a lot of money, Iranian minister says

The strategy of tourism advertising needs to be improved in Iran, tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said on Saturday, adding that the country should spend more amount of money on it like what it does in other sectors such as the industry and agriculture. With the current budget allocated to this sector, not much can be done, especially in the international arena, ISNA quoted Mounesan as saying. While other countries such as Turkey have achieved good results with advertising without any restrictions on tourism, those Iranian officials and people who have resources consider advertising a waste of money, rather than an investment, he added. This view needs to be corrected as the budget allocated by the government to this sector is very limited, and tourism advertising is not the government’s priority yet, he explained. Referring to the measures taken by the tourism ministry such as producing and preparing various contents and brochures in this regard, he noted that the ministry tries to make significant use of cyberspace to introduce the country to the world. To pursue the ministry’s goals, other platforms such as YouTube have taken into account as well, he added. He also noted that familiarization tours between Iran and China, besides the advertisements on cyberspace, have been effective on the number of inbound tourists to the country. Before the coronavirus pandemic puts everything on a halt, similar actions taken by the tourism ministry in Oman led to a 350 percent increase in the number of Omani tourists visiting Iran, Mounesan said. Advertising is one of the most important factors that help the tourism industry to generate tourists from both the local and international marketplace. The tourism sector is responsible for promoting the natural resources, culture, and heritage that help every visitor in experiencing the destination. Tourism advertising helps the visitor to get familiar with the place even before visiting it personally. 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 2, 2021 Edit: Feb 2, 2021 Regional News

Over 200 tourism projects to come on stream in Tehran

A total of 206 tourism-related projects are scheduled to be inaugurated soon across the Iranian capital on the occasion of Ten-Day Dawn (February 1-10, marking the victory anniversary of the Islamic Revolution). Ten accommodation centers including hotels, apartment hotels, eco-lodge units as well as tourist complexes, restaurants, and handicrafts workshops will come on stream, Tehran province’s tourism chief said on Saturday. A budget of seven trillion rials (about $167 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) has been allocated to the projects, which are expected to generate a total of 930 job opportunities, Parham Janfeshan said. The mentioned projects will also add 816 beds to the hospitality sector of the Iranian capital, the official noted. Hugging the lower slopes of the magnificent, snowcapped Alborz Mountains, Tehran is much more than a chaotic jumble of concrete and crazy traffic blanketed by a miasma of air pollution. This is the nation's dynamic beating heart and the place to get a handle on modern Iran and what its future will likely be. The metropolis has many to offer its visitors including Golestan Palace, Grand Bazaar, Treasury of National Jewels, National Museum of Iran, Glass & Ceramic Museum, Masoudieh Palace, Sarkis Cathedral, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Carpet Museum of Iran, to name a few. The first time Tehran is mentioned in historical accounts is in an 11th-century chronicle in which it is described as a small village north of Ray. It became the capital city of the Seljuk Empire in the 11th century but later declined with factional strife between different neighborhoods and the Mongol invasion of 1220.

Create: Feb 2, 2021 Edit: Feb 2, 2021 Regional News

Photo contest to spotlight UNESCO-tagged Soltaniyeh, nearby monuments

The cultural heritage and tourism directorate of Iran’s Zanjan province is set to launch a photography contest on the UNESCO-registered Dome of Soltaniyeh and its surrounding historical and touristic sites. Competitors are requested to post works to the Instagram account of the directorate from January 31 to February 9, provincial tourism chief Amir Arjmand announced on Tuesday. A panel of professional media photographers will be judging the contest, and winners will be honored with exquisite prizes, the official said. “This competition is to be held to highlight the importance of preserving natural and cultural heritage, monuments, antiquities, museums that exist in [the city of] Soltaniyeh,” he said. The UNESCO-listed Mausoleum of Oljaytu, which is commonly known as “Dome of Soltaniyeh” (Soltaniyeh Cupola), is one of Iran’s must-visit destinations for those interested in traditional Persian and genuine Islamic architecture. The mausoleum is surmounted by one of the largest brick domes in the globe, though some mistakenly refer to it as “the largest dome in the world”. Meaning “Town of the Sultans”, Soltaniyeh was briefly the capital of Persia’s Ilkhanid dynasty (a branch of the Mongol dynasty) during the 14th century. According to UNESCO, the Mausoleum of Oljaytu is an essential link and key monument in the development of Islamic architecture in central and western Asia. Here, the Ilkhanids further developed ideas that had been advanced during the classical Seljuk phase (11th to early 13th centuries), during which the arts of Iran gained distinction in the Islamic world, thereby setting the stage for the Timurid period (late 14th to 15th centuries), one of the most brilliant periods in Islamic art. UNESCO says, “Excavations carried out in the 790-ha Mausoleum of Oljaytu property have revealed additional vestiges of the old city, and a large part of this property has retained its archaeological character. As the ancient capital of the Ilkhanid dynasty, Soltaniyeh represents an exceptional testimony to the history of the 13th and 14th centuries in Iran.” The very large dome is the earliest extant example of its type and became an important reference for the later development of the Islamic dome. Similarly, the extremely rich interior of the mausoleum, which includes glazed tiles, brickwork, marquetry, or designs in inlaid materials, stucco, and frescoes, illustrates an important movement towards more elaborate materials and themes.

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 Regional News

United Arab Emirates travellers banned from UK

The government banned travel to the UK from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Burundi and Rwanda. Officials said the move was to prevent the spread of the new variant originally identified in South Africa into the UK. From 13:00 on Friday, passengers who have been in or transited through the United Arab Emirates, Burundi and Rwanda in the last ten days will no longer be granted access to the UK. This does not include British and Irish nationals, or third-country nationals with residence rights in the UK, who will be able to enter the UK but are required to self-isolate for ten days at home, along with their household. Passengers returning from these countries cannot be released from self-isolation through test to release. There will also be a flight ban on direct passenger flights from the United Arab Emirates. The decision to ban travel from these destinations follows the discovery of a new coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa, that may have spread to other countries, including the UAE, Burundi and Rwanda. Any exemptions usually in place will not apply, including for business travel. British nationals currently in the UAE should make use of the commercial options available if they wish to return to the UK. Indirect commercial routes that will enable British and Irish nationals and residents to return to the UK continue to operate. British nationals should check Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) travel advice and follow local guidance. Emirates Following confirmation, Emirates, one of the largest carriers between the United Arab Emirates and the UK, said it remained committed to the market in the long-term. An Emirates spokesperson said: “As directed by the UK government, Emirates will be suspending passenger services between Dubai and all our UK points – Birmingham, Glasgow, London, Manchester - effective 13:00 today, until further notice. “We regret the inconvenience caused, and affected customers should contact their booking agent or Emirates call centre for rebooking. “Emirates remains committed to serving our customers in the UK. “We look forward to resuming passenger services when conditions allow, and will continue to work closely with all relevant authorities in this regard.”

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 31, 2021 International News

LOT Polish Looks To Boost Tourism With 787 Dreamliner Charters

LOT Polish Airlines, the flag carrier of Poland, aims to drive forward its recovery by placing an even larger focus on tourism in the upcoming months. It is hoping to boost ticket sales via its “Lot na wakacje” (“vacation flight”, with “LOT” meaning “flight”) promotion, but it is also launching cooperation agreements with travel agencies. The pandemic changed LOT Polish’s business model Up until its entire business model came to a standstill last year, LOT Polish Airlines was consistently solidifying its position as a transfer airline in Eastern Europe. It did so via its primary hub in the Polish capital, Warsaw Chopin Airport, and its secondary hub in the capital of Hungary, Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport. A fundamental feature of this model was LOT’s reliance on passengers who traveled on its services into and out of Warsaw, and to a lesser extent Budapest, but whose journeys did not actually originate or end in either of these two cities. The transfer model looked promising: LOT Polish was profitable, expanding continuously for several years, and it even intended to buy German airline Condor.

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 International News

Qatar Airways temporarily suspends booking from UAE to UK

Qatar Airways has announced a temporary suspension on accepting new bookings from UAE to the United Kingdom. In a statement on Twitter, Qatar Airways said: "Qatar Airways has temporarily suspended acceptance of new bookings from UAE for the next 7 days due to UK government concerns." In the same tweet, Qatar Airways also stated that South Africa and Rwanda are also temporarily suspended with exceptions including GCC nationals as well as resident permit holders returning to other GCC countries. Furthermore, Qatar Airways also mentioned that "acceptance of previously booked passengers will be dependent upon COVID-19 protocols and government permission to enter the country of their final destination."

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 International News

United Airlines warns 14,000 jobs at risk when payroll aid expires

United Airlines said on Friday it has sent warnings of potential furloughs to some 14,000 employees whose jobs are at risk once a second round of payroll support for airlines expires on April 1, as demand for air travel has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Chicago-based United had recalled 13,000 employees from furlough when the fresh payroll package was passed in December. “Despite ongoing efforts to distribute vaccines, customer demand has not changed much since we recalled those employees. today,” United told employees, while saying it was monitoring demand and advocating for continued government support. Congress approved $15 billion in new payroll assistance in December to help keep more than 32,000 airline workers on payrolls through March 31, after awarding $25 billion in March for passenger airlines in payroll assistance and $25 billion in low-cost government loans. American Airlines, which had furloughed 19,000 workers in October, did not immediately comment on Friday on whether it would issue new notices of potential layoffs. On Thursday, Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA), representing workers at 17 airlines, urged Congress to extend a passenger airline payroll assistance program for a third time. United’s Friday memo said “we’re continuing to monitor demand and advocate for continued government support, and we are all working hard toward the day when we can bring back our furloughed co-workers permanently.” American Airlines chief executive Doug Parker said on Thursday that “April 1 is approaching and demand hasn’t gotten much better… So we are definitely going to need to address this, unless demand starts to pick up.”

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 International News

Lesser-known province seeks to gain foothold on tourism map

Some 41 tourism-related projects are currently underway across Iran’s southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, the provincial tourism chief has said. These projects will boost tourism and develop travel infrastructure in the region when they finally come on stream, Majid Safai announced on Thursday. A four-star hotel and a water park are among the important projects being carried out in collaboration with the private sector, the official added. He also noted that with the inauguration of the mentioned projects, more job opportunities will be created in the tourism sector, which will lead to better income for the locals. Last September, a provincial tourism official announced that over one trillion rials (some $24 million at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) was allocated to nine tourism projects across the province. He also mentioned that developing tourism infrastructure in the province is one of the province’s tourism department priorities and is being pursued seriously. The lesser-known is home to various nomads and is a top destination for those interested in visiting in person the nomadic life. Sightseers may live with a nomadic or rural family for a while or enjoy an independent stay and assist them with day-to-day life. It also opens up an opportunity to feel rustic routines, their agriculture, traditions, arts, and culture. The province attracted over four million people, mostly domestic travelers, during the Iranian year 1397 (ended March 2019), according to data announced by the provincial tourism department.

Create: Jan 30, 2021 Edit: Jan 30, 2021 Regional News

WORST YEAR IN TOURISM HISTORY WITH 1 BILLION FEWER INTERNATIONAL ARRIVALS

Global tourism suffered its worst year on record in 2020, with international arrivals dropping by 74% according to the latest data from the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Destinations worldwide welcomed 1 billion fewer international arrivals in 2020 than in the previous year, due to an unprecedented fall in demand and widespread travel restrictions. This compares with the 4% decline recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis. According to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, the collapse in international travel represents an estimated loss of USD 1.3 trillion in export revenues - more than 11 times the loss recorded during the 2009 global economic crisis. The crisis has put between 100 and 120 million direct tourism jobs at risk, many of them in small and medium-sized enterprises. Due to the evolving nature of the pandemic, many countries are now reintroducing stricter travel restrictions. These include mandatory testing, quarantines and in some cases a complete closure of borders, all weighing on the resumption of international travel. At the same time, the gradual rollout of a COVID-19 vaccine is expected to help restore consumer confidence, contribute to the easing travel restrictions and slowly normalize travel during the year ahead. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said: “While much has been made in making safe international travel a possibility, we are aware that the crisis is far from over. The harmonization, coordination and digitalization of COVID-19 travel-related risk reduction measures, including testing, tracing and vaccination certificates, are essential foundations to promote safe travel and prepare for the recovery of tourism once conditions allow."

Create: Jan 29, 2021 Edit: Jan 29, 2021 International News

2020 Was Worst Year in Tourism History, UN Says

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, global tourism had its worst year ever in 2020, with international arrivals down 74% compared to 2019. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the drop meant $1.3 trillion less in revenues, which is 11 times more than the drop caused by the 2009 economic crisis. The U.N. said the drop in global tourism has put between 100 and 120 million tourism jobs at risk. The outlook for a rebound is cloudy. “While much has been made in making safe international travel a possibility, we are aware that the crisis is far from over,” UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a statement. All world regions saw a drop in tourism, with Asia and the Pacific leading with an 84% decrease. The Middle East and Africa saw drops of 75%. Europe declined by 70%, and the Americas saw a dip of 69%. According to the U.N., 45% of its panel of experts predict a better year in 2021, while 25% say 2021 will be about the same, and 30% saying 2021 will be worse. “Looking ahead, most experts do not see a return to pre-pandemic levels before 2023,” the U.N. wrote in a news release.

Create: Jan 29, 2021 Edit: Jan 29, 2021 International News

Hyatt Announces Plans for the Addition of Three Story Hotels in Sweden

Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into franchise agreements with Story Hotels Holding AB to bring three hotels in Sweden under the JDV Hotel brand, helping to grow Hyatt's independent collection brand in Europe. The three boutique hotels – Story Hotel Riddargatan and Story Hotel Signalfabriken in Stockholm, as well as Story Hotel Studio Malmö, Sweden – will all retain their individual hotel names and unique identities. The three Story Hotels will be available for reservation through Hyatt's booking channels and for World of Hyatt members to earn and redeem points for stays starting April 1, 2021. Hyatt's independent collection portfolio is a collection of brands that not only embrace the locations in which each hotel resides, but serve as a gateway to some of the most sought-after destinations worldwide. Each property brings a sense of place to the guest experience in new and unforgettable ways. "We are very excited to bring these three Story Hotels in Europe under Hyatt's JDV Hotel brand portfolio and at the same time grow the Hyatt hotel footprint in Sweden," said Felicity Black-Roberts, vice president development for Europe at Hyatt. "We are focused on thoughtful growth in locations that meet our guests and members needs, and the upcoming addition of three Story Hotels help us fuel this growth in markets like Scandinavia, as we collaborate with owners who want to maintain each property's unique identity. With their strong design focus and neighborhood feel, Story Hotels will be the perfect representation of Hyatt's independent collection in Europe." Story Hotel Riddargatan, Story Hotel Signalfabriken and Story Hotel Studio Malmö are ideally located at the heart of their destinations and each will celebrate the unique neighborhoods in which the properties reside. With modern, Scandinavian design that reflects the edgy nature of both cities, the hotels will offer amenities for both business and leisure travelers. "It was clear at an early stage that Hyatt and Story Hotels had a very similar vision of how modern upscale living should look and feel," said Staffan Åkerlind, CEO Story Hotels. "We are thrilled to introduce the JDV Hotel brand to Europe and Scandinavia and, we are proud to be working with such an experienced, international hospitality company like Hyatt. We look forward to leveraging their experience to offer excellent service to our guests and benefit from their global scale and distribution platform." All three hotels will feature individually designed boutique guestrooms, vibrant public spaces and food and beverage offerings popular with both visitors and locals alike. Boutique in size as a reflection of their urban locations, each hotel will offer complimentary access to local gyms during their stay. Story Hotel Riddargatan, Stockholm An 83-room property widely believed to be one of Stockholm's original boutique hotels, the Story Hotel Riddargatan will have an industrial design to represent the building's former life as an apartment complex, barber shop and garage. The property is centrally located in the Östermalm area with easy access to vibrant neighborhood restaurants, cafés and bars as well as the high-end shopping district. The hotel will also feature a restaurant, Ling Long, specializing in Southeast Asian cuisine, and one indoor and one outdoor bar. Story Hotel Signalfabriken, Stockholm Story Hotel Signalfabriken will feature 83 individually designed guestrooms and a vibrant bar and restaurant, which will host regular DJ performances. Formerly a fire station and town hall, this listed property in Sundbyberg's Torg neighborhood will attract business travelers with meetings in the surrounding areas of Solna, Bromma and Kista. Leisure guests will enjoy the small town feel and abundance of restaurants nearby with quick access to Stockholm's city center in less than ten minutes via the nearby tram, bus and subway lines. Story Hotel Studio Malmö Story Hotel Studio Malmö will feature 95 unique guestrooms, all creative and playful in their design to reflect the young and vibrant population of the city. Situated on the top floors of a high-rise building, the hotel offers spectacular views overlooking the city and water. The hotel is part of the mixed-use STUDIO building, which also houses conference and meeting facilities, corporate offices, retail outlets, several restaurants and a café. With its unique waterside location at Universitetsholmen, and close proximity to Malmö's central station, guests can easily explore the city, and nearby Copenhagen via a 35-minute train ride. The hotel's restaurant and cocktail bar, Kasai in the Sky, will deliver food and drink on Malmö's highest outdoor terrace with views of the ocean and city skyline. Story Hotel Riddargatan, Story Hotel Signalfabriken and Story Hotel Studio Malmö are expected to increase the number of Hyatt hotels in Sweden to four, following the 2020 opening of Stockholm's Hotell Reisen, which is part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt brand. Fueled by guests' growing desire for unique, differentiated experiences that foster genuine connections with people and cultures, Hyatt recently announced its intention to grow by more than 30 percent in Europe, with a significant focus on developing the footprint of its lifestyle brands.

Create: Jan 29, 2021 Edit: Jan 29, 2021 International News

Tehran to host intl. tourism and handicrafts expo next month

Tehran will be playing host to an international tourism and handicrafts exhibition next month. The event is scheduled to be held on both virtual and physical basis at Tehran Permanent International Fairgrounds from February 23 to 26, the deputy tourism minister Vali Teymouri announced on Wednesday, CHTN reported. The event will be 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, Teymouri said. 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. 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. Rooted in ancient Persian civilization, the nation that has survived numerous alien invasions and natural disasters over its rich history while maintaining its appeal to local and foreign tourists.

Create: Jan 28, 2021 Edit: Jan 28, 2021 Regional News