Pomegranate Festival promotes investment, tourism development in Khalkhal
The third Nemahil Pomegranate Cultural and Tourism Festival was held in Khvoresh Rostam District, Khalkhal, Ardabil Province, on Thursday, attracting large numbers of tourists. The festival featured stalls selling orchard produce, handicrafts and local foods, alongside cultural and artistic performances.
Jalil Jabari, Director General of the Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department of Ardabil Province, said at the festival that Khvoresh Rostam District, located in the southern part of the province, has significant potential across various sectors. He said the pomegranate festival, held for the third consecutive year along the banks of the Ghezel Ozan River, aims to showcase these local assets and promote regional economic development.
“In a region with unique tourism attractions, agricultural resources and handicrafts, we are working to connect these sectors and develop the tourism industry in order to improve local livelihoods and contribute to the development of the province,” Jabari added.
He stressed that by organizing such events, the provincial organization seeks not only to foster social vitality, showcase local potential and attract tourists, but also to strengthen cultural identity across the province, pass the experiences of previous generations on to future generations, revive traditions and promote national unity.
Referring to tourism-related issues in Khalkhal, Jabari said they were being pursued in cooperation with the city’s governor’s office. He invited tourism investors to explore opportunities in the region, highlighting the extensive potential of southern Ardabil Province, and added that government agencies would provide the necessary support to businesses and investors in the sector.
Outlining the department’s efforts to develop tourism across the province, Jabari noted that, alongside organizing festivals and tourism events in different areas, the department had secured first place nationally in the public relations category, as well as first place in foreign tourism advertising and marketing.
He said these achievements reflected the efforts of the department’s staff to promote the province’s tourism assets and support the growth of its tourism industry.
The Nemahil Pomegranate Festival welcomed visitors with colorful stalls showcasing orchard produce, authentic handicrafts and local cuisine, attracting people who had traveled to the region to discover the remarkable potential of southern Ardabil Province.
Khalkhal, with a population of approximately 90,000, is located in the south of Ardabil Province and is home to a wealth of historical, natural and agricultural attractions.
Khvoresh Rostam District, with its favorable climate and fertile orchards, is one of the major pomegranate-producing hubs in Ardabil Province.
More than 600 tons of high-quality pomegranates are produced in the area each year. Their superior quality and distinctive flavor set Khvoresh Rostam’s pomegranates apart from those grown in other regions.