Tehran – A total of 86 events have been registered on Iran’s national event calendar, nine of which are related to Mashhad, Kholasan Razabi province, the Deputy Regional Tourism Director said.
Yusef Bidkhori added that registration for tourist events on the national calendar is in line with holding events suitable for drawing tourists and pilgrims in all cities in the state, CHTN reported.
He said, “We have considered specific time frames for these events so that pilgrims and visitors can place on their agenda.”
Khorasan Razavi province mainly has pilgrimage tourism, he said, adding that the presence of the sacred temple of Imam Reza (AS) of Mashhad, the 8th Shia Imam.
This is a preliminary stage for drawing tourists, he said. Pilgrimage tourism appears to be the easiest form of attracting tourists, he pointed out. But for longer tourists to stay in the state, he said, is effective in tourism economics.
He also said, “In addition to the events, we considered ecotourism accommodation because we don’t want a focus on residence in Mashhad.”
Mashhad boasts half of the accommodation centres across the country, so it has no problem accommodating tourists, he said.
Bidkhori added that ecotourism housing is a tourist attraction in cities in the state. Mashhad is adjacent to these cities, he said.
Ecotourism housing boasts three elements: tourism, cultural heritage and handicrafts. Tourists can test numerous local cuisine at these residences. Some of these homes are listed on the National Heritage List.
Food sightseeing
He continues to say that culinary tourism has now achieved considerable status throughout the state. Some dishes, like Shashlik Kebab (Ribs), are listed on the National Heritage List. Registration of these foods helps them turn into brands and attract many tourists. “We promote local cuisine in traditional and ecotourist housing.”
He said traditional restaurants have been launched in Mashhad residential units, including hotels, hotel apartments and guesthouses, to render local cuisine.
Bidkhori explained that on average, all pilgrims stay in Mashhad and Khorasan Razavi provinces three nights. He said that almost 7 million tourists and pilgrims visited Mashhad during the holiday at Nowruz 1404.
Mashhad, the regional capital, is Iran’s most sacred and second-largest city. Its reasoning and main sights are the impressive huge shrine complex of Imam Reza (AS).
morning