KARMAN – The city of Karman held the Iranian first ecolodge celebration on May 21 (Ordibehesht 31), highlighting the country’s growing commitment to sustainable, community-based tourism.
Over 600 ecolodge managers across the country participated in a rally that served as both a celebration and a platform to promote networking, experience sharing and sustainable tourism practices.
Speaking at the ceremony, the tourism minister saith Reza Salehi Amiri, expressing his strong support from the government for the development of the ecolodge, saying, “This is a land of dignity and Iranian identity.” “Iran is beautiful and full of vibrant colors. Every corner of this land is a story waiting to be told, from the majestic arg-e bam in the heart of the desert to the enchanting Shazdeh gardens.”
The Minister emphasized the cultural and economic values of ecolodges, saying, “Ecolodges need to be transformed into a space of serene storytelling. 3,000 ecolodges are not sufficient. These lodges are now at the heart of their missions of cultural heritage, tourism and crafts.
Salehi-Amiri reaffirmed that Ecolodges’ support is a common priority at the highest level of the government. “All members of the government, including the president, believe in strengthening this sector,” he said. “I recently met with hotel owners and travel agents, and I will also meet with representatives from the ecolodge. I am fully aware of their challenges and the government is ready to listen.”
Salehi-Amiri Tourism Deputy Anoushirvan Mohseni Bandpey highlights the widespread and grassroots nature of Iranian ecolodges, calling it one of the most important and human-oriented tourism infrastructure in the country. He highlighted recent initiatives on the restoration of historic homes and caravan salées, and emphasized that the festival aims to raise awareness among Ecolodge operators, networking and supporting the communication of experience.
Muhammad Ali Talebi, governor of Karman, highlighted the rich cultural and geographical diversity of the state, from deserts to mountains, ancient heritage to vibrant rural traditions. He said Carman is home to thousands of years of civilization and has important tourism potential with hundreds of registered ecolodges, UNESCO listed heritage sites and a diverse range of eco-climates. Talebi said that Karman aims to become an experientially-based health tourism hub.
“Each ecolodge is at the heart of wealth creation, cultural conservation and community resilience,” he added, noting that the state’s tourism development strategy focuses on a brand of smart tourism, licensing rationalization, professional training, and local and nomadic ecotourism experiences.
Carman mayor Abbas Toysercrani also worked on the event, outlining a joint project with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage to revitalize the city’s historic fabric, including restoring old alleyways and stone paving.
Yabari Abili, president of the National Association of Ecolodges, announced that the manager had travelled to Mak, Chabahar, Kuzestan, Buscher and Khorasan to celebrate. He acknowledged their efforts and presented the National Ecolodge Festival coat of arms to the event organizers.
The celebration coincided with the unspecified world day for cultural diversity for dialogue and development, highlighting the role of ecolodges in promoting cross-cultural understanding and sustainable development.
morning