TEHRAN – Mansour Melzad of Kordestan’s cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism sector said 80 tourism projects are currently underway in Kordestan province, western Iran.
He told ISNA that it would take about 300 billion rials ($30 million) to complete the project.
Fortunately, he said the majority of these projects are being carried out by the private sector.
Pointing to the high probability of tourism in the state, Melzado said the tourism sector is one of the most appropriate investment areas in all countries, as the private sector carries 80% of the costs.
He said the Mostazafan Foundation’s Parsian Hotel is one of the projects with appropriate financial resources. However, he added that it faced problems with water resources that were resolved in follow-up.
He added that other projects are ongoing statewide and “hopefully complete in the next few years.”
Pointing to the state’s need for accommodation and tourism infrastructure, he said that even if 33 construction hotels are in office, more investment would be needed in this regard.
Nearly 85 investment packages are being prepared across the state to attract investors, many of which are ready to reach investors at the map level, he said.
He said banking facilities are limited statewide. Given the increased arrival of tourists to the state, he said tourism infrastructure needs to be developed.
Located in northwest Iran, Kordestan is known for its vibrant culture and strong sense of identity. Kordestan boasts high, cold mountains and historical terraced villages.
The capital, Sanandazi, is located 458 km from Tehran and serves as an important tourist destination with many attractions. Another highlight of the province, the Maliban is located on the border with Iraq and offers its own unique charm.
From the Maliban you can visit Lake Zaribal and the pristine villages around it. The lake is also a bird watching hotspot. Another must-see is Palangan, a picturesque village known for its terraced houses perched on mountain slopes where each house’s roof serves as a separate garden.
The journey to Parangang, a two-hour drive from Maliban through Kurdish mountains, is beautiful in its own right and worth the trip. After exploring Palangan, you can head to Uraman Takuto, Kordestan’s most famous, terraced village. A night or two in Uraman allows locals to explore the villages and surrounding mountains that maintain their summer gardens.
KD