Shiraz accessible tourism plan highlighted at Taste of Hope Festival
The Director-General for Domestic Tourism Development at Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts has announced plans to designate Shiraz as one of the country’s accessible tourism cities, saying the initiative aims to advance the broader concept of an “accessible tourism city,” going beyond conventional urban accessibility measures.
Mostafa Fatemi Firouzabadi made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the Taste of Hope Festival held in Shiraz, stating that the project involves fully standardizing an entire tourism corridor, including facilities, shops, and pedestrian routes, to ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, according to IRNA.
He called on the provincial governor’s office, the Fars Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization, and the Shiraz Municipality to work with the national accessibility task force to create the necessary conditions for Shiraz to be recognized in this field, following a previous pause in the initiative.
Fatemi Firouzabadi also praised the prominent role of experts from Fars Province in national food and herbal beverage working groups, noting that many of Iran’s leading figures in the culinary sector originate from the province.
He emphasized that the goal of the tourism working groups is to transfer responsibilities to the public and the private sector, adding that the participation of specialized food teams and disability-focused organizations in the festival reflects progress toward the socialization of tourism development.
At the conclusion of the event, winners of the regional stage of the “Taste of Hope” Festival were introduced and advanced to the national competition.
Meanwhile, the coordinator of the Accessible Tourism Desk also addressed the ceremony, highlighting the event as the result of strong synergy between government institutions and the private sector.
Mohammad Esmaeil Sheikhqaraei said the initiative, which began as a simple proposal, has now become so institutionalized that it is irreversible.
He added that even if government officials face fatigue or budget constraints, the movement must continue through public participation and civic organizations.
Sheikhqaraei further noted the close cooperation between the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, the State Welfare Organization, and the private sector, saying the festival’s outcomes will help promote a culture of respect and redefine the status of persons with disabilities nationwide.