Setting up tourist information kiosks (or booths) is the responsibility of municipalities across the world, though Iran only has a handful of kiosks.
Arash Nour-Aqaei, the head of Iran’s Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, added, “Information kiosks provide tourists with information on transportation and lodging. In some countries such as the Netherlands, they even help travelers book a hotel room.”
According to tourism news website Donyaye Safar, as a country anticipating a massive influx of international tourists in the near future, Iran has done a poor job of promoting its attractions, even within the country itself.
Iran’s reputation as an unknown, exotic destination is sure to draw thrill-seekers once the western-imposed sanctions are lifted and it is imperative to set up information kiosks to guide travelers.
Nour-Aqaei said information kiosks can be located at places frequented by tourists, such as airports, bus terminals and train stations.
“The kiosks are designed in a way that reflects the architecture of the city they’re located in. The few kiosks we have in Iran don’t even do that,” he said.
The official said Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization can join forces with municipalities to set up kiosks based on the successful experiences of developed countries, but conceded that major issues need to be addressed.
“For instance, it is almost impossible to reserve hotel rooms at kiosks because Iranian hotels are not connected to uniform reservation software,” he said.
In other words, every hotel’s website has to be accessed individually to check for available rooms.
“We need to be prepared; in tourism, supply precedes demand,” he said.
Setting up information kiosks are not costly, but can have an enormous impact on tourism.
While many tourists opt for package holidays, a considerable number of tourists prefer the freedom and excitement that comes with independent travel.
With independent travel becoming easier, the number of tourists who prefer to travel on their own terms is expected to increase rapidly in the foreseeable future.
Independent travelers rely on information provided by the locals to find their way around and this is where the importance of information kiosks comes to light.
While similar to an information center in that it provides tourists with quality services, including information on an area’s attractions, lodgings, maps and other items relevant to tourism, an information kiosk is far easier to set up as it can be placed virtually anywhere with enough room to house a newsstand.
