Private Sector Helps Increase Isfahan Lodging Capacity

More than 2,900 beds have been added to the lodging capacity of Isfahan Province in the first nine months of the current Iranian year to Dec. 21, thanks to the private sector and support of tourism authorities to help complete infrastructure projects.

According to Hamid Amini, director for planning and investment at the provincial office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, out of this number, 2,500 beds pertain to ecolodges established “from the capital to the most remote corners”.

“The move is in line with ICHHTO’s goal for a balanced development of tourism across the entire province,” CHTN quoted Amini as saying. According to the data released by ICHHTO, at least half a million foreign tourists visited the central province of Isfahan during the period, while previous reports reveal a huge lack in the province’s hosting capacity, especially in areas distanced from the province’s center.

Fereydoun Allahyari, the head ICHHTO’s provincial office, had previously announced that the tourism capacity of Isfahan has registered a 67% increase over the past four years and reached 20,000. A one- and a four-star hotel have been launched in the city of Isfahan, adding 350 beds to its accommodation capacity and 70 new hotel beds have been provided in other counties.

One of Iran’s most popular tourist destinations, Isfahan attracts millions of domestic and foreign travelers every year, thanks to its 22,000 historical sites and monuments, among which stand the world-renowned Naqsh-e Jahan Square, Imam Mosque, Chehel Sotoun Palace and Fin Garden.

The province has over 90 hotels and 65 guesthouses, of which 57 hotels and 30 guesthouses are located in the city of Isfahan.