According to the head of the regional office of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) Abbas Motevali, the organization is offering loans worth 1 billion rials ($30,000) to help develop desert tourism in Aran va Bidgol in Isfahan Province, ISNA reported.
Following a visit from officials at the central office of ICHHTO, who toured the Maranjab Desert and assessed the town’s historical buildings-cum-ecolodges, it was decided to grant the loans at 4% interest rate to support the development of existing facilities and construction of new eco-lodges, Motaveli said.
“So far, 4 projects are slated to receive funding from the ICHHTO.”
Due to the town’s proximity to Kashan - a tourist hub – Aran va Bidgol can accommodate tourists who visit Kashan, since the city suffers from lack of hotels, the official suggested.
Aran and Bidgol is a desert town located 12 km northeast of Kashan. Home to around 55,000 people, the town originally consisted of two adjacent but separate settlements; one called ‘Aran’, the other ‘Bidgol’. The town is known for its desert landscapes and the Maranjab Caravansary - which used to cater to weary merchants traveling on the Silk Road – among others. Visitors can also arrange for camel treks and tour the surrounding desert.
