A large group of tourism promoters from Tabirz, East Azerbaijan Province, arrived in Shiraz on Saturday as part of a national tour that began last week to mark the launch of Tabriz 2018 project.
"The caravan of Tabriz 2018 tourism ambassadors headed for Shiraz after visiting and performing in the cities of Zanjan and Isfahan," said Morteza Abdar, head of the provincial office of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization.
Bandar Abbas is to serve as the next stop on the tour on April 30, which coincides with National Persian Gulf Day.
"The caravan, which consists of 11 buses, set off on April 25 under a directive from President Hassan Rouhani to promote the attractions of Tabriz as well as its local products in line with efforts to support domestic products," Abdar was quoted as saying by the CHTN.
Abdar added that the tour is meant to promote Tabriz's souvenirs, handicrafts and local industries from food specialties and precious stones to rug weaving.
"Art and musical troupes will also perform for the residents and tourists of different cities to introduce the rich folk culture of Azarbaijan," he said.
Its itinerary also includes visits to Qeshm, Kerman, Yazd, Birjand, Mashhad, Semnan, Sari, Rasht, Astara and Ardabil before moving back to Tabriz.
Tabriz was designated the Capital of Islamic Tourism in 2018 by ministers of tourism of Organization of Islamic Cooperation member states in December 2015.
The event was officially inaugurated in a ceremony attended by President Rouhani on Wednesday.
A preliminary ceremony had been held in January to mark the initiation of the event but the official inauguration was postponed to April.
A special exhibition of Islamic items is planned for the summer and Tabriz will host cultural, scientific and sport events throughout the year.
