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Coronavirus causes $3.3b damage to Iran’s tourism so far, minister says

Coronavirus causes $3.3b damage to Iran’s tourism so far, minister says

Iran’s tourism industry has suffered a loss of over 140 trillion rials (about $3.33 billion at the official exchange rate of 42,000 rials per dollar) since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister has said. Although the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has brought the whole world to a standstill, the tourism industry has been the worst affected of all economic sectors, IRNA quoted Ali-Asghar Mounesan as saying on Sunday. However, efforts are being made by the government to help the tourism sector flourish again with continuous support and injecting supportive packages, he added. The government has allocated a total of 500 trillion rials (about $12 billion) to the corona-affected sectors, of which 200 trillion rials ($4.7 billion) will be given to the health ministry and the rest will be spent on other sectors, he explained. Earlier this week, the minister announced that the national budget bill for the next calendar year (starting on March 20) has proposed 70 trillion rials (about $1.7 billion) to support tourism businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic. If the budget receives parliament’s approval, it will be spent on different sectors of the tourism industry, which has taken a major hit from the coronavirus outbreak over the previous months, he noted. Despite the toughest economic pressures and sanctions, the government has provided good support to all sectors of tourism, the minister said.However, there is hope that the beginning of mass vaccination against the coronavirus will provide better conditions for tourism and businesses related to this sector, he explained.Government’s care and support packagesIn late October, deputy minister Vali Teymouri announced that a new support package to pay loans to businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic has been approved.Depending on the type and activity of the businesses, they could benefit from at least 160 million rials ($3,800) to nine billion rials ($214,000) of bank loans with a 12-percent interest rate, he said.The loans will 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 pointed to the 1.3 million tourism workers in the country, who are facing several issues due to the coronavirus crisis and said “This number, in addition to their households, includes a significant population that makes a living through tourism, who are needed to be considered in ministry’s decisions.”Back in August, Teymouri announced that the tourism ministry has approved a total budget of 4,920 billion rials (over $117 million) to support corona-affected tourism businesses, covering as much as 36,000 people working in the tourism sector.Tourism industry in critical situationIn October, 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, the minister 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.”Last April, the government announced it will support those who are grappling with fiscal problems by offering loans with a 12-percent interest rate. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts also suggested a rescue package for tourism businesses. The government has also allocated a 750-trillion-rial (about $18 billion) package to help low-income households and small- and medium-sized enterprises suffered from coronavirus concerns.Coronavirus may turn tourism into luxury itemIn June, the United Nations World Tourism Organization praised efforts made by Iran’s tourism ministry to manage the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. UNWTO Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili said in a letter to Mounesan that the country's measures have truly earned plaudits to mitigate the impact on tourism. “A series of measures that the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran has taken, in accordance with the guidelines and recommendations of UNWTO, has truly earned plaudits as an effective practice to mitigate the impact on tourism,” the letter reads.Some experts believe that the coronavirus pandemic may turn tours and travels into luxury items as observing health protocols will raise the cost of travel in the country. Mohammad Ali Vaqefi, the vice president of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, warned that with the continuation of the coronavirus outbreak, tourists may prefer individual travel rather than tours, adding that they may also choose to go on a trip by their vehicles and stay in tents or in nature instead of hotels.In the global scene, part of the new travel puzzle is the jet-set mindset focusing on tough hygiene care and social distancing as cardinal guidelines for slowing the spread of the virus. So the average expenditure will be raised for a typical traveler particularly inbound passengers so lesser ones can afford to buy privacy and space and safer travel amenities.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: Jan 27, 2021     Edit: Jan 27, 2021     Regional News
Renovation and reorganization plan of "Dariush" hotel in Persepolis with the management and operation of the army

Renovation and reorganization plan of "Dariush" hotel in Persepolis with the management and operation of the army

Dariush Hotel has welcomed tourists in the past decades as a tourist complex with a significant capacity.  With the renovation of this hotel, which has 180 rooms and suites, about 700 beds will be added to the accommodation capacity of Fars province.

Create: Nov 23, 2020     Edit: Nov 23, 2020     Regional News
The National Development Fund has no restrictions on providing facilities to investment projects

The National Development Fund has no restrictions on providing facilities to investment projects

"Vali Teymouri", the country's Deputy Minister of Tourism, at the inauguration ceremony and operation of tourism projects in Yazd province;  People's livelihood in the field of tourism is significant, and fortunately, recovery and social spirit are in the form of travel among people With the compilation of large and upstream documents, tourism has moved out of the emotional atmosphere and parallelism of the past and has become a program-oriented industry.

Create: Sep 27, 2020     Edit: Sep 27, 2020     Regional News
The $ 100 million loss of two Trump hotels due to his professionalism and statements

The $ 100 million loss of two Trump hotels due to his professionalism and statements

This amount of losses due to the departure of guests and sponsors from these hotels occurred after the remarks of "Donald Trump".  Employees of the Trump trading company have said that his controversial remarks during the 2016 presidential campaign played a significant role in the losses. 

Create: Sep 22, 2020     Edit: Sep 22, 2020     International News
Tourism week programs should be virtual, semi-virtual and outdoor

Tourism week programs should be virtual, semi-virtual and outdoor

"Vali Teymouri", the country's Deputy Minister of Tourism, spoke in a video conference with the provincial tourism deputies;  Tourism and rural development is a slogan that has been registered for this year, and the amount of work done in the field of rural tourism is significant in the Deputy Minister of Tourism. According to this year's slogan, we will seek more importance in the field of tourism development in villages and low-income areas. Celebrating tourism activists over the past year will be another executive action on this day.

Create: Sep 13, 2020     Edit: Sep 13, 2020     Regional News
The government's determination to remove barriers to Alborz tourism is serious

The government's determination to remove barriers to Alborz tourism is serious

"Fereydoun Mohammadi" General Manager of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Alborz Province;  We hope that the government will make it possible for the tourism sector to be revived by providing the necessary incentives.  Although so far we have seen significant assistance from the government in the form of facilities, deferral of loans, etc., but this assistance needs to continue. 

Create: Sep 9, 2020     Edit: Sep 9, 2020     Regional News
Religious tourists can see Yazd virtually this year

Religious tourists can see Yazd virtually this year

"Seyed Mostafa Fatemi" General Manager of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Yazd Province;  During the past years, in various ceremonies during Muharram, we have witnessed a significant increase in the number of tourists in Yazd.  It has been decided to make it possible to communicate with travelers who have traveled to Yazd in recent years.  In fact, this year we are looking to direct tourists to see the religious tourism of Yazd as virtual.

Create: Aug 27, 2020     Edit: Aug 27, 2020     Regional News
Northern tourism on the verge of bankruptcy

Northern tourism on the verge of bankruptcy

With the outbreak of coronavirus, the tourism market of Mazandaran province has suffered severe and significant financial damage.  According to the statistics announced by the provincial authorities, the amount of this damage has been about 550 billion tomans so far.  So far, more than 2,200 private sector tourism enterprises in Mazandaran province have registered to receive unemployment insurance. 

Create: Aug 4, 2020     Edit: Aug 4, 2020     Regional News
Significant reduction in Chinese flights to Italy

Significant reduction in Chinese flights to Italy

There are currently 37 flights a week between China and other European countries, with Italy accounting for only one flight.  Prior to the cancellation of flights at Rome airport, six Chinese airlines operated in 12 destinations in Italy.

Create: Jul 25, 2020     Edit: Jul 27, 2020     International News
The forecast of the manager of the largest tourism startup in the world from the future of this industry

The forecast of the manager of the largest tourism startup in the world from the future of this industry

Airbnb CEO Brian Cheesky; Based on the analysis of available data, the tourism industry will no longer be the same.  We will probably see a multiplication of domestic travel and major problems for airlines.  With the spread of telecommuting and the use of webinars, business trips will be significantly reduced.  In the future, the main destinations of tourism will change and the Asian continent will be given more serious attention.  Virtual tourism will be used by many people and now is the golden time to work in this field.

Create: Jul 22, 2020     Edit: Jul 25, 2020     International News
Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 9 ; Service Failure Recovery

Delivering the Service Experience - Chapter 9 ; Service Failure Recovery

Technique 139 Ask About Travel Experiences; Offering redress for problems not caused by the hotel can be a key driver of guest satisfaction. For example, if a guest mentions travel-related problems experienced before arrival, the hotel should offer an amenity or upgrade as an expres- sion of empathy and comfort. Front desk associates should be encouraged to ask guests how their trips were because doing so increases the probability of finding out about travel-related frustrations. Technique 140 Thank Guests for Complaining; All associates should be trained to thank guests when they voice valid complaints. Such a thank you encourage guests to communicate problems directly with the provider as opposed to posting complaints on social media forums. Thanking the guest for voicing the complaint also signals that the problem is less likely reoccur in the future. Technique 141 Ask What Would Fix the Problem; If a guest voices a valid complaint, after listening, empa- thizing, thanking the guest, and apologizing, the hotel asso- ciate should ask the guest what the hotel can do to fix the problem. Most guests will ask for very little which presents the opportunity to deliver more than what was asked—spawning guest delight. Technique 142 Organize Recharging Cords; Recharging cords for mobile electronics are perhaps the most commonly left items in the rooms; thus, most hotels have excess in lost and found since many guests never call for them. Therefore, the hotel should have a selection already identified by phone/computer type. When a guest asks where to buy one, or if they ask to borrow one from the hotel, they will be readily available for them to use with no hassle. Technique 143 Be Ready for Clean-Up; The front desk agent should always have immediate access to both cloth towels and paper towels and should be on the look-out for guests in need of them. They can be offered if a guest comes in from the rain, if an infant spits up, etc. Technique 144 Have Shower Chairs and Bath Mats Readily Available; While all hotels have handicap rooms, at times, an elderly person or a person with an ailment may want “more protection” while in the shower. A shower chair and rubber bath mats are good to have on hand. Technique 145 Offer Hot Chocolate During Inclement Weather; Whether driving or flying, guests’ stress levels increase significantly when they must attempt to travel in snow or ice. Hot chocolate should be available in the lobby in such circumstances. Technique 146 Let Guests Keep Umbrellas; The hotel should have an abundance of umbrellas at the front desk for guests to use when needed. If a guest says s/he will drive the car around and return it later, let them keep the umbrella (they can be purchased inexpensively at a dollar store). Technique 147 Organize Unclaimed Items Suitable for Borrowing; Many times clothing, belts, etc. are left in lost and found. If the items remain unclaimed, they can be used for guests to borrow if forgotten to pack. A closet, or part of a closet, can be dedicated to these items. Technique 148 Be Informed About Guest Assistance Information; Guests continue to have more special needs as it relates to medical and dietary. Ensure that desk and restaurant staffs have the basic knowledge to assist the guests with these concerns. The key is where to direct them so they can get the information they need, such as what restaurant serves the needed food; pharmacy information; dentist information; or medical emergency information. To have information ahead of time will help when the need arises so the situation can be dealt with immediately. Technique 149 Have a List of Languages Spoken by Staff; Many hotel personnel speak multiple languages. Have a list of any employee that speaks different languages. When there is a guest who needs additional interpretation it will be helpful to know who the employees are that can help them. With foreign travel getting stronger, this is very valuable to the hotel. Technique 150 Have a System for Handling Verbal Communication Barriers; If an associate does not speak English, then s/he should carry cards to give to the guest so when they ask a question, they can explain this and direct them to someone who can help immediately. The staff member can also have a pen and paper readily available to help facilitate communication; be sure there is a system in place for this sort of communication. To ignore the guest is a failure in guest service. Technique 151 Recognize Employees for Exceptional Service Failure Recovery Efforts; If an associate goes the extra-mile to solve a guest’s prob- lem, take a digital photo of the associate and write a few sen- tence narrative about what s/he did in the situation. Use the narrative and photo to make a small poster that can be hung in the employee break room.

Create: Jul 5, 2020     Edit: Aug 13, 2020     Hotel Management
20% to 30% reduction in the occupancy rate of hotels in Kurdistan province over the past few days

20% to 30% reduction in the occupancy rate of hotels in Kurdistan province over the past few days

"Abdul Hamid Hamidi," the head of the Hoteliers Association of Kurdistan Province, explained in an interview with HotelNews;  The hotels in the province are in good condition every year and experience a occupancy rate of 70 to 80 percent. Due to the reopening of tourism facilities and accommodation centers, this year we have witnessed a significant presence of travelers and tourists in the province.  However, the publication of contradictory news regarding the closure of tourist facilities and the non-acceptance of travelers, especially in the Oramanat region, caused this rate to decrease by 20 to 30 percent. In general, hotels and accommodation centers in the province have experienced a 50 to 60 percent occupancy rate over the past few days.

Create: Jun 8, 2020     Edit: Jun 8, 2020     Regional News
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