Ardabil has maintained its leading position among the provincial cultural heritage departments of Iran in the assessment of marketing and foreign tourism development for 2025, securing first place for the second consecutive year, a local official reported.
Jalil Jabari, Director General of the Ardabil Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts, specified that this evaluation was conducted by the office for marketing and foreign tourism development of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Crafts. He noted that Ardabil also held the top spot in this area in 2024, emphasizing that maintaining this status reflects the province's continuous efforts to promote its tourism potential outside of Iran.
Jabari added that Ardabil's tourism opportunities have been widely presented across the country in recent years, which is reflected in the growing interest of local travelers. Nevertheless, he stated the need to intensify efforts to develop foreign tourism to attract more international guests as conditions improve in the country and region.
He pointed to the holding of several national and international events in the province, including festivals dedicated to nomadic migration, grapes, pomegranates, apples, Ashu (Persian soup with fresh herbs), and other local products, which contributed to drawing more attention to Ardabil as a tourist destination.
Moslem Shojaei, Director General for Marketing and Foreign Tourism Development at the ministry, presented the results of the 2025 assessment, stating that Ardabil retains the first place among provincial departments, surpassing the provinces of Qazvin and East Azerbaijan. According to him, the assessment results demonstrate the consistent application of targeted approaches by provinces actively working in the field of international tourism, and the degree of compliance of their measures with the policies and guidelines issued by the Deputy Minister of Tourism.
Located in the northwest of Iran, Ardabil province comprises 12 districts and is known for its historical, cultural, and natural attractions. Among its main heritage sites is the Shrine and Tomb Complex of Sheikh Safi al-Din, located in the provincial capital, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The capital of Ardabil is situated on a highland plateau east of Mount Sabalan and is famous for its cold climate, natural landscapes, and long-standing traditions of carpet and silk production. In 2023, Ardabil was named the Tourism Capital of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation.