World Tourism Day launched in Iran

The one-week celebrations of World Tourism Day has been launched in Iran on September 27, with the city of Yasuj holding Ta'zieh performance, Persian passion play, to mark Arbaeen, the 40th day after the anniversary of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), the third Shia Imam.

Ta'zieh is a traditional and folkloric play which narrates the story of martyrdom of Imam Hussein (AS), beloved grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.

The World Tourism Day has been held on September 27 each year since 1980.

Kermanshah, Fars, Kordestan, and Kerman are the Iranian provinces to hold special ceremonies to commemorate this international day which will run through October 4.

The city of Uramanat Takht in the western Iranian province of Kordestan holds special ceremonies such as an exhibition of handmade carpets in Bijar, and holding virtual training courses and cultural programs with the cooperation of associations and NGOs to commemorate the occasion, while implementing health protocols and procedures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Cultural Site of Uramanat in western Iran was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List on July 27, 2021.

The rural area of Uramanat embraces dense and step-like rows of houses in a way that the roof of each house makes the yard of the upper one, a feature that adds to its charm and attractiveness.

Kerman, also among the top five Iranian provinces selected to host the celebrations of World Tourism Day, also plans several programs to be hold on this occasion, including a conference on world tourism, holding several festivals, educational workshops and rituals, familiarization trips (fam trips), and visiting tourist attractions of the province.

UNESCO-registered Lut Desert, Bam Citadel, Meymand village, Shazdeh Garden, and mud brick Rayen Castle are the top destinations for foreign travelers in the ancient city of Kerman.

Since 1980, the World Tourism Day has annually been held on September 27 as a way to nurture the awareness of the importance of tourism and to demonstrate its cultural, social, economic, and political values across the world.

The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) leads the celebrations of World Tourism Day.

The international official celebration will be held in Cote d’Ivoire in Africa.

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