Tehran launches metro-based city tourism scheme
Tehran has launched a metro-based tourism program to help residents and visitors explore the Iranian capital’s historical and cultural attractions, with tourism maps installed at 24 stations in the first phase, a municipal official said Monday.
Amir Ghasemi, head of Tehran Municipality’s tourism headquarters said the project began two years ago with specialized research and has now moved into implementation with the unveiling of tourism maps at stations, IRNA reported.
Forty stations across the network have been identified as having tourism potential, and another 16 are expected to receive maps by March 20, he added.
The maps cover historical, cultural and heritage sites, as well as public services and restaurants within 500 meters of each station. Visitors can scan QR codes on the maps to save digital copies to their smartphones.
Ghasemi said the program was designed to help Tehran residents take advantage of currently free public transportation to explore the city. He described the metro as a key tourism resource that had previously received insufficient attention.
“Tour guides will be based at tourist attractions and lead specialized tours for groups and visitors who use the maps to travel between destinations,” Ghasemi said.
He added that the initiative had received positive feedback from the metro network and tourism centers. It aims to strengthen residents’ bonds to their urban environment and help establish Tehran as an international tourism destination.
“The program’s reach will depend on how effectively the maps connect metro journeys with visits to the city’s cultural and historical sites,” he pointed out.