IRAN: Dariush Grand Hotel Wins 2015 World Travel Award

Dariush Grand Hotel won the 2015 World Travel Award for Iran’s Leading Hotel in the 22nd World Travel Awards, voted by travel agents worldwide.

Iran had suggested Dariush Grand Hotel, Abassi Hotel, Laleh Hotel, Parsian Tehran Azadi Grand Hotel, and Tehran Homa Hotel as nominees for the 22nd World Travel Awards and Dariush Grand Hotel, a 168-room, $125 million, five star hotel located on the eastern part of Kish Island in the Persian Gulf, managed to win the World Travel Award for Iran’s Leading Hotel 2015.

The World Travel Awards founded in 1993 in an Annual event in which an international jury of hospitality experts and peers decide on awards presented to hotels and other hospitality companies. World Travel Awards serves to acknowledge, reward and celebrate excellence across all sectors of the global travel and tourism industry.

Dariush Grand Hotel was built as a look like Persepolis, a symbol of the glory and splendor of the ancient Persian civilization and the Persian Empire. The hotel was designed and developed by Iranian entrepreneur Hossein Sabet, who also owns and manages several tourist attractions and hotels in the Canary Islands. The hotel was completed in 2003 and is owned by a number of companies.

Dariush Grand Hotel is a three-time winner of the World Travel Oscar in 2015, 2014 and 2012.

IRAN: Luxury Train Carrying European Tourists To Arrive In Yazd

The 7th Thousand and One Nights luxury train will arrive in Iran’s central province of Yazd on Wednesday morning.

The Deputy Head of Yazd's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department Seyed Mostafa Fatemi said that the train, carrying 75 foreign tourists will arrive in the Iranian province. The train’s passengers are from Germany, US, UK, Switzerland and Austria who will arrive in Yazd after visiting Zanjan province.

The tourists are supposed to pay visits to Yazd’s Amir Chakhmaq complex, the historical structure of Yazd, the Water museum, the Zoroastrian temple as well as the Zoroastrians' Silent Tower.

He also added that the Golden Eagle Express will arrive in the province in the next few weeks.

Iran is considered to be one of the top tourist destinations in the Middle East, due to its rich history and culture, high climate diversity and vibrant society.

Iran also boasts nearly 20 sites registered on UNESCO’s world heritage list, including the Naqsh-e Jahan Square in Isfahan, Bisotoun, Pasargadae and Persepolis near Shiraz, Shoushtar historical hydraulic system and Tabriz historic bazaar complex.

IRAN: Iran, Italy To Promote Joint Tourism Cooperation.

Visiting Iranian historical city of Persepolis, Italian Culture Minister Dario Franceschini expressed hope for promotion of Tehran-Rome cultural ties.

The Italian Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Dario Franceschini visited the World Heritage site of Persepolis near Iranian southern city of Shiraz on Tuesday.

During his visit the Italian official referred to years of cooperation between Iran and Italy and voiced hope for more development of the cultural ties.

“Iran is a magnificent country with many attractions and historical sites,” said Franceschini reassuring, “I would visit Iran more in future.”

Commenting on Persepolis, the Italian official called it one of the huge and unique buildings in the world, saying that he had read about it a lot but seeing it personally meant more to him.

He affirmed that he has had meetings with Iranian Vice President Massoud Soltanifar as well as Minister of Culture Ali Jannati, and good agreements have been made.

Franceschini ascertained that having a good background of cooperation, the two nations will bolster ties in realms of restoring and reconstructing old buildings, science, archeology, and exchange of experts.

Founded by Darius I around 518 BCE, Persepolis was the capital of the Achaemenid Empire as well as the symbol of the Achaemenid dynasty.

The importance and quality of the monumental ruins make it a unique archaeological site.