Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization is gradually expanding the tourism services it is offering via a newly developed mobile government application.
"We have an office responsible for direct supervision over travel services offered to tourists around the country. To ensure effective oversight, we need to join the mobile government app," head of the ICHHTO's IT department, Rozgar Pourahmadi, told ISNA on Saturday. He said the tourism organization's mobile services will be categorized by type of service receivers.
"They will be listed under three different categories; one would target clients and users, another would cover businesses and the last would cater to other government agencies," Pourahmadi said.
E-Ticket System
An online ticket selling service launched last year can now be also accessed through the app, she noted.
"The website was set up last year and is being developed. Tehran's museums and historical monuments, such as Sa'dabad and Niavaran complexes, the National Museum of Iran and Golestan Palace, have so far been equipped with the e-ticket system. We plan to extend the system to other provinces," the official said. "The ticket service is accessible via both the website and the mobile app and even on-site through the automated ticket machines."
A separate mobile app designed by the ICHHTO provides a channel for complaints about the quality of services at hotels and other lodging facilities.
The website services.ichto.ir has largely eliminated the need for direct visits by clients to the tourism organization and applications for a license to set up a new travel agency are accepted and processed via ta.ichto.ir, Pourahmadi added.
Improved Accessibility
The mobile government app is part of a push to cut the red tape and bureaucracy and facilitate the public access to government services. Its launch was officially announced on April 30 and the range of services it is hosting has gradually expanded ever since.
Android users can download the software from local Android markets Cafe Bazaar and Iranapps, or from the website mob.gov.ir. The application is also available for iOS and can be downloaded from appstore.ir, a homegrown version of Apple's App Store. Citizens can submit their suggestions and criticisms regarding the app in the program itself or dial 195 to voice their opinions.
