Eco-lodges markedly thriving in Iran

The number of quality eco-lodges in Iran has remarkably increased over a factor of 15-fold in Iran from 30 to over 500 since 2013.

Currently, there are over 530 eco-lodges dotted across the countryside in Iran, showing a sharp increase since 2013 when the number stood only at 30.

Isfahan Province has the most eco-lodges at 130, while the provinces of West Azarbaijan, Kohgilouyeh-Boyerahmad and Qom each possess only one stand at the bottom of the list.

An eco-lodge is considered as a type of tourist accommodation designed to have the minimum possible impact on the natural environment in which it is situated.

Moreover, Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) has initiated steps to improving the quality of eco-lodges that have been on the rise over the past couple of years.

“At this time we should focus on training courses for eco-lodge associates before pursuing any standardization developments,” Mohammad-Ali Fayyazi, an official with the CHTHO, said.

The official added that four rounds of training courses for ecotourism associates have been put in place, and each province has one expert to monitor its services.

Adhering to indigenous architectural norms is a main criterion for running an eco-lodge, Fayyazi noted.

The administration of Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has given special attention to hospitality services as a means of generating jobs and wealth for local communities.

AI/AI