Tehran – Faraj, a historic village in Yazd province, is officially recognized as Iran’s first accessible tourist village.
The national certificate was awarded to village authorities on Sunday at a formal ceremony attended by many officials and travel enthusiasts.
According to state tourism chief Seiyed Mohammad Rastegali, this recognition underscores Faraj’s commitment to achieving accessible tourism for all.
“Accessibility will be a central pillar in the development of this cultural and historic village, allowing visits by tourists with special needs,” Rostami said.
The upgrade includes an accessible path to the village’s traditional accommodation from the entrance to the historic Jamemosk in Faraj, providing full access to all visitors
Improvements to the village’s infrastructure include restoration of historic buildings, resurfacing alleyways with traditional mud plaster, installing international signs and building accessible public toilets. These enhancements make the village more navigable for disabled and senior tourist visitors.
Fahraj was selected as one of Iran’s eight candidates for the 2024 UN Tourism’s Best Tourist Village Initiative. This choice has led local stakeholders and officials to invest in sustainable and inclusive tourism developments.
Rostami hopes that with continued efforts, Faraj will ultimately join the list of the best tourist villages.
Faraj is home to 102 historic landmarks spanning the Achemenid, Parthia and Sassania eras, making it one of the world’s most well-known historic towns. A key attraction of Farraj is Jamemesk, known for its remarkably preserved structure, dating back to the century of Islam. It is also known as the Imam Hasan (AS) mosque. This is the only mosque in the Islamic world since its founding to preserve its original architectural form.
The historic castle of Farraj is decorated with intricate façades and ornaments dating back to the 10th and 11th centuries, and is a testament to the village’s rich heritage. The fortress boasts a quadrilateral layout, featuring the remains of four cylindrical towers, each with guard posts, preserving the heritage of the base.
Located about 30km east of Yazd in central Iran, Farraj boasts a rich cultural and historical heritage and has become a destination for travelers seeking authentic country experiences.
Accessible tourism refers to the practice of having a fun and inclusive travel experience for everyone, regardless of physical, sensory or cognitive abilities. This means creating environments and services accessible to people with disabilities and being able to fully participate in tourism activities. This is the growth trend in the travel industry.
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