Iran's Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts is spearheading a strategic push to transform Khor and Biabanak county in Isfahan province into a leading desert tourism hub, blending Sassanid heritage preservation with modern infrastructure upgrades. Minister Reza Salehi-Amiri's recent visit highlighted untapped potential in rural sites like Mesr village a World Best Tourism Villages nominee and ancient Bayazeh castle, positioning the region as a key driver of Iran's cultural economy.
Salehi-Amiri inspected Bayazeh's Sassanid fortress, vowing enhanced protection, restoration, and tourism integration to showcase the area's historical identity alongside vital aqueducts sustaining desert life. These qanats represent engineering ingenuity linking natural ecosystems to civilization, demanding sustainable management for visitor appeal. Mesr village's global recognition signals rural tourism leaps, with ministry backing to elevate facilities while preserving authenticity.
Desert tourism ranks among Iran's 20+ specialties as a strategic edge, underinvested despite global demand; Khor and Biabanak's landscapes, salt lakes, and hospitality position it for eco-lodges, recreation, and cultural immersion. Plans include accommodations and healthy leisure spaces, mirroring Uzbekistan's Gulf outreach amid rising Central Asian appeal.
Praising locals' vibrancy, the minister relayed President Pezeshkian's greetings, forecasting positive trends via infrastructure and jobs that balance growth with sustainability. This echoes global desert booms, contrasting Nigeria's insecurity challenges while Iran's model promises economic stability through heritage-led revival.