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MCR Acquires a Portfolio of 6 Marriott and Hilton Hotels Across Texas and New Mexico

MCR — the country’s 4th-largest hotel owner-operator — has acquired a portfolio of six premium-branded hotels in Texas and New Mexico, known as “smile states” for their location and fast-growing markets. Totaling 603 rooms, the acquisition includes two Marriott hotels (a TownePlace Suites and a Fairfield Inn & Suites) and four Hilton hotels (two Hamptons, a Home2 Suites and a Tru). All were built in the last four years and nearly 40% of the portfolio (by room count) is specifically an extended stay, all-suite product designed to cater to longer-term guests. Five hotels are in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the 2nd-fastest-growing major city in the country. The sixth sits in the arts and culture hub of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Planning your next trip to the South or Southwest? Smile – MCR has you covered! Located in the heart of downtown Fort Worth directly across from the Fort Worth Convention Center, the 120-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Fort Worth Downtown is the perfect place to work and play. Opened in October 2017, the hotel features a stunning 20-seat bar, super-fast Wi-Fi and a second-floor patio with city skyline views. Just 5 minutes down Route 377, you’ll find 128 suites with fully equipped kitchens at the TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Worth University Area/Medical Center. The hotel is less than 10 minutes away from Texas Christian University, the Modern Art Museum and the Will Rogers Memorial Center. Flying out of DFW Airport? Take your pick! The 94-room Home2 Suites by Hilton Euless DFW West, 79-room Tru by Hilton Euless DFW West and 91-room Hampton Inn & Suites Colleyville DFW West are all just 10 minutes from the 4th-busiest airport in the world. With ultra-plush beds, complimentary hot breakfast and state of the art fitness equipment, you won’t feel far away from home. Further west you’ll find the 91-room Hampton Inn Santa Fe South, an oasis of comfort in the New Mexican desert. Located along State Road 14, the Hampton Inn provides direct access to Santa Fe’s historic downtown. Itching to explore? Check out Meow Wolf, the world-renowned art collective featuring 200-plus artists. Later, catch the sunset by our cozy outdoor fireplace.

Create: Dec 22, 2021 Edit: Dec 22, 2021 International News

Tourism development in Sistan-Baluchestan, a powerful means to solve region’s challenges

he development of Sistan-Baluchestan through tourism can help the region address its challenges, the deputy tourism chief of the southeastern province has announced. Through the development of tourism, a peace project can be pursued with the neighboring countries in the region, CHTN quoted Mojtaba Mirhosseini as saying on Tuesday. To date, tourism activists in the province have focused on activities for the sustainable development of tourism, which is highly commendable, the official added. The port of Chabahar has the potential to become the maritime tourism capital of Iran, and also the northern region of the province has the potential to become the historical tourism capital of the country, which with the right planning and building of necessary infrastructure, can be achieved, he noted. In order to increase the demand for visiting the province, its attractions and beauty need to be presented as much as possible, he explained. SEO and web marketing are among the most effective digital marketing tools in tourism and can help introduce more people to the province and local businesses, he mentioned. He also noted that organizing fam tours for Iranian tourism activists and media people significantly changed people’s perceptions of the region. Last year, former Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan said that the development of the travel industry across Sistan-Baluchestan province is among the top priorities for the ministry. “I am interested in Sistan-Baluchestan, and the development of this province is a priority for this ministry and the government,” the former minister stated. “The majority of my travels during my tenure has been to Sistan-Baluchestan, which I consider as a safe province with significant values in terms of culture, history, handicrafts, and tourism.” The collective province -- Sistan in the north and Baluchestan in the south -- accounts for one of the driest regions of Iran with a slight increase in rainfall from east to west, and an obvious rise in humidity in the coastal regions. In ancient times, the region was a crossword of the Indus Valley and the Babylonian civilizations. The province possesses special significance because of being located in a strategic and transit location, especially Chabahar which is the only ocean port in Iran and the best and easiest access route of the middle Asian countries to free waters. The vast province is home to several distinctive archaeological sites and natural attractions, including two UNESCO World Heritage sites, namely Shahr-e-Soukhteh (Burnt City) and Lut desert.

Create: Dec 22, 2021 Edit: Dec 22, 2021 Regional News

Iran plans to increase tourist exchanges with neighboring nations

The exchange of tourists between Iran and its neighbors is expected to increase in the months to come, Iran’s deputy tourism minister Ali-Asghar Shalbafian has announced. The official made the remarks during a meeting with Hamad Obaidalla the Chief Commercial Officer of Fly Dubai Airlines on Monday. Increasing tourist exchanges with neighboring countries is on the agenda for Iran following the expansion of the flight network between Iran and the United Arab Emirates, he said. To achieve this goal, the private and public sectors will consolidate their capacities, the official added. For his part, Obaidalla said that currently, Fly Dubai Airlines operates 30 flights a week to Iran, and this capacity will grow to nearly 50 flights in the future. By relying on this capability, tourists can be directed to Iranian tourist destinations effectively, he added. Communication between the private sector of the two countries plays a crucial role in achieving executive strategies, he noted. Back in September, Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts Minister Ezzatollah Zarghami announced the issuance of tourist visas and the flow of foreign tourists to Iran would resume as per President Ebrahim Raisi’s order following 19 months of suspension. Currently, tourist visas are once again being issued to cultivate good grounds of hope for travel insiders. However, months of steep recession have taken its toll. Many travel insiders, hoteliers, and tour operators have faced big dilemmas such as bankruptcy, unemployment, debts, and the prospects of not being competitive on the international level. Only months into the outbreak, Zarghami’s predecessor, Ali-Asghar Mounesan, lamented that the number of foreign travelers to Iran was drastically plunged due to the pandemic. “Tourism of the country was growing before the corona [outbreak], its revenues reached $11.7 billion in 2019, which accounted for 2.8% of GDP, nearing the average share of tourism in the world GDP, which was 3.2 percent,” Mounesan said. He added 8.7 million foreign nationals visited Iran during the [Iranian] year (1398), adding that Iran was ranked as the second fastest-growing country in tourism based on data compiled by the World Tourism Organization. The average of international travels to and from Iran fell by 80 percent during the past Iranian calendar year 1399 (ended on March 20, 2021) from a year earlier caused by various coronavirus restrictions. Optimistic forecasts, expect the country would achieve a tourism boom after coronavirus is contained, believing its impact would be temporary and short-lived for a country that ranked the third fastest-growing tourism destination in 2019. UNWTO’s Panel of Experts foresees a rebound in international tourism in the current year, mostly in the third quarter. However, some experts suggest the rebound could occur only in 2022. The Islamic Republic expects to reap a bonanza from its numerous tourist spots such as bazaars, museums, mosques, bridges, bathhouses, madrasas, mausoleums, churches, towers, and mansions, of which 26 are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Under the 2025 Tourism Vision Plan, Iran aims to increase the number of tourist arrivals from 4.8 million in 2014 to 20 million in 2025.

Create: Dec 20, 2021 Edit: Dec 22, 2021 Regional News

TOP 10 OLDEST HOTELS IN EUROPE

Hotels have been around for as long as we can remember, but where in history is the origin of this core sector of the tourism industry? While it might come as a surprise for many, the three oldest hotels in the world are all located in Japan and have been operating for hundreds of years. While Japan can boast this very interesting fact, the real champion of historic accommodation facilities is Europe with a large variety of old hotels. In this context, Tourism Review presents the top 10 oldest hotels on the Old Continent – each country represented by only one hotel. Hôtel Cour du Corbeau (France), est. 1528 Located in the heart of Strasbourg and a stone's throw from the cathedral, the Cour du Corbeau is one of the oldest hotels in Europe, being in operation since the beginning of the 16th century. At the same time, it is also one of the most beautiful architectural ensembles of the Renaissance period. The city-owned hotel offers 63 luxurious rooms to its guest, guaranteeing top-notch comfort and an experience to remember. Hostal dos Reis Católicos (Spain), est. 1499 Owned by the Paradores chain (in the ownership of the Spanish government), the Hostal dos Reis Católicos was built as a royal hospital to accommodate pilgrims traveling to Santiago de Compostela. Today, it continues to welcome visitors from all parts of the world in more than 100 rooms and boasts incredible luxury in the heart of one of Spain’s most important cities. Hotel Damier (Belgium), est. 1398 Located on the Grote Markt square in Kortrijk, Damier boasts an impressive history. The first mention of the hotel dates back to the 14th century, with the building boasting an astonishing Rococo façade from 1769. Today, the hotel offers 65 luxurious rooms that will certainly impress even the more demanding individuals. Hotel De Draak (Netherlands), est. 1397 Founded in 1397 and located in the historic center of Bergen op Zoom, Hotel de Draak is the oldest hotel in the Netherlands. It is possible that the hotel is even older, but a huge fire destroyed the city archives in the same year. It is currently owned by the Hazen family and boasts an impressive 62 rooms which provide the guests with fine comfort and luxury. Zum Roten Baeren (Germany), est. 1387 Labelled as the oldest hotel in Germany, the first mention of the Zum Roten Baeren hotel in Freiburg dates to 1387, with the building itself being one of the oldest ones in the city. The guesthouse has been a social center of the city for years and today it has 25 rooms, 20 employees and the ambition to appeal more to the public with its historic charm. Hotel-Gasthof Löwen (Lichtenstein), est. 1380 The Löwen has been offering its services in the hospitality industry since 1380, thus being the oldest hotel in the country. Today the hotel offers elegantly furnished rooms, organization of events and conferences and provides its guests with a gastronomic experience in the form of a restaurant to top it all off. Gastagwirt (Austria), est. 1380 The family led Gastagwirt hotel has been firmly rooted in Eugendorf, in the Salzburg region, for over 700 years. As early as 1380, the "irrevocable, indispensable and forever hereditary liquor license" was awarded to the guesthouse with a letter and a seal. In the present day, the hotel provides fine accommodation services, but especially some of the best seminar and meeting services and facilities in the country. Hotel Interlaken (Switzerland), est. 1323 Hotel Interlaken in Switzerland is also among the oldest hotels in Europe. It was opened in 1323 and was initially meant to be a guesthouse for visitors of the local monastery, while later it was a part of the administration of the region. Today, the family led hotel offers 55 rooms, event organization and much more in the heart of Switzerland. Hotel Alte Goste (Italy), est. 1142 The Alte Goste hotel has been in operation since the 13th century, although the first innkeeper known by name was Gild Stainer in 1557. The region itself served as one of the most important connections between the Holy Roman Empire and Italy. Today the hotel offers a large variety of rooms and apartments for a carefree stay in the Puster Valley. The Olde Bell Hotel (UK), est. 1135 The Olde Bell, located in the small town of Hurley in England first opened almost 900 years ago in 1135. Initially, it operated as a guesthouse for visitors to the nearby Benedictine Priory, but throughout the time it gained even more importance up to the point when Winston Churchill and Dwight D. Eisenhower met there during World War II. Today the hotel offers 48 rooms that guarantee the guests a historic experience not to be forgotten.

Create: Dec 16, 2021 Edit: Dec 16, 2021 International News

Turkish journalists to explore East Azarbaijan on fam tour

The northwestern Iranian province of East Azarbaijan plans to host a delegation of Turkish journalists and media personnel for a familiarization tour across the province in the near future, the provincial tourism chief has announced. A fam tour introducing East Azarbaijan’s tourism capabilities will be organized in cooperation with the private sector during the winter for Turkish media representatives and tourism activists, Ahmad Hamzezadeh said on Monday. A suitable platform can be provided for the development of the tourism industry by having fam tours in the province and taking advantage of the existing capacities in the sector, he explained. Holding fam tours is the best strategy for developing tourism in top countries, the official added. To accomplish this goal, the province’s tourism department is planning to organize fam tours for tourism activists and media members of the other neighboring countries early next year, he noted. Soaked in history and culture for millennia, Tabriz, which is the capital of East Azarbaijan, embraces several historical and religious sites, including the Jameh Mosque of Tabriz and Arg of Tabriz, and UNESCO-registered Tabriz Historic Bazaar Complex to name a few. The city became the capital of the Mongol Il-Khan Mahmud Gazan (1295–1304) and his successor. Timur (Tamerlane), a Turkic conqueror, took it in 1392. Some decades later the Kara Koyunlu Turkmen made it their capital, it was when the famous Blue Mosque was built in Tabriz. The city retained its administrative status under the Safavid dynasty until 1548 when Shah Tahmasp I relocated his capital westward to Qazvin. During the next two centuries, Tabriz changed hands several times between Persia and Ottoman Empire. During World War I, the city was temporarily occupied by Turkish and then Soviet troops. The ancient city was declared a world craft city of carpet weaving by the World Craft in 2016. It also bore the title of 2018 Islamic Tourism Capital.

Create: Dec 14, 2021 Edit: Dec 14, 2021 Regional News

Iranian town to boost medical tourism

Local authorities plan to boost medical tourism in Gachsaran town, southwestern Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad province, the provincial tourism chief has said. Infrastructure has been provided in Gachsaran to facilitate the development of health tourism, Majid Safai announced on Saturday. “There is a strong capacity for the development of the tourism industry, especially health tourism, in the city because of the airport and its fast air access to medical facilities and equipment,” the official explained. Citing an example, the official reminded of a special hospital dedicated to mothers and children which offeres quality servives to domestic and foreign patients. During the coronavirus outbreak, 350 foreign tourists received visas to use the medical services provided by the hospital mentioned, he noted. Many domestic experts believe that medical tourism in Iran is a win-win opportunity both for the country and foreign patients, as they are offered affordable yet quality treatment services and the country gains considerable foreign currency. Iran is one of the major destinations for health tourism in the region, and patients with 55 different nationalities, mostly from neighboring countries including Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan are seeking to use Iran’s services and facilities in this field. The Islamic Republic has set its goals to exceed its yearly medical travelers to around 2 million in the Iranian calendar year 1404.

Create: Dec 12, 2021 Edit: Dec 12, 2021 Regional News

President Raisi visits Sassanid fortress in Lorestan

ed by members of his cabinet, including Energy Minister, Industry, Mining, and Trade Minister, Agriculture Minister, Culture Minister as well as Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare Minister. Falak-ol-Aflak is an imposing monument of Sassanids, which dominates the capital city of Khorramabad in western Iran. The unmissable eight-towered monument seems particularly dramatic when floodlit at night, offering picturesque views of its encircling crenelated battlements. Lorestan is a region of raw beauty that an avid nature lover could spend weeks exploring. The region was inhabited by Iranian Indo-European peoples, including the Medes, c. 1000 BC. Cimmerians and Scythians intermittently ruled the region from about 700 to 625 BC. Lorestan was incorporated into the growing Achaemenid Empire in about 540 BC and successively was part of the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid dynasties.

Create: Dec 11, 2021 Edit: Dec 11, 2021 Regional News

Renault shows off retro-style AIR4 flying car

Renault has celebrated the 60th birthday of its iconic 4 model by unveiling its first-ever flying car concept. The AIR4 is described as a “futuristic and offbeat reinterpretation” of the 4, which sold more than eight million cars worldwide between 1961 and 1994. “AIR4 is a symbol of independence and freedom,” says Renault, “born out of the realisation that traffic is compounding, lives are grinding to a halt, and the world above us is unhampered.” The French carmaker collaborated with US design house TheArsenale to assemble the one-off vehicle, with design, engineering, and assembly conducted in the Sophia Antipolis technology park. A Renault 4-inspired carbon-fibre body rests atop a four-propeller chassis, evoking the image of a giant drone. The passenger compartment has been redesigned with flight forces in mind, and hinges at the front end for pilot entry. Unlike some designs, the AIR4 lacks wheels — potentially stretching its definition as a flying car. Power comes from several 22,000mAh batteries for a total capacity of 90,000mAh. Top speed is listed at 26m/s (about 93km/h) at a 45-degree incline, with a flight ceiling of 70 degrees. Total vectoral thrust is 380 kilograms. Renault says TheArsenale’s Road to Air division used AI technology to refine design concepts, “even before starting the first real-world trials”. The AIR4 does appear to fly, albeit at low altitudes and presumably under remote control. The company hasn’t revealed details on the AIR4’s controls, with little more than a single seat, tablet-like screen, and storage box visible under the bodyshell. Despite the vehicle’s actual flight capability, it will remain a showpiece for the foreseeable future. The AIR4 is now on display at Paris’s Atelier Renault venue. It will also be shown in Miami, New York, and Macau next year.

Create: Nov 30, 2021 Edit: Nov 30, 2021 International News

Ardabil’s ‘biggest’ 5-star hotel under construction

Private investors are now constructing a 5-star hotel, which according to local officials would be the “biggest” of its kind in the northwestern Ardabil province. “Construction operation of what would be the biggest five-star hotel in Ardabil province is ongoing in [the touristic region of] Aznav in Khalkhal county,” Khalkhal’s governor said on Tuesday. The seven-story hotel would have 350 beds in an area of 11,000 square meters, Masud Yeganeh said, CHTN reported. Back in January, the provincial tourism chief, Nader Fallahi, announced that more than 150 tourism-related projects are underway across the mountainous province. “The mentioned projects will prepare the province’s tourism sector for the post-coronavirus era when the number of tourists and travelers is expected to rise magnificently,” the official said. Sprawling on a high, windswept plateau, Ardabilis well-known for having lush natural beauties, hospitable people, and its silk and carpet trade tradition. It is also home to the UNESCO-registered Sheikh Safi al-Din Khanegah and Shrine Ensemble. The province is very cold in winter and mild in summer, attracting thousands every year. The capital city of Ardabilis usually recorded as one of the coldest cities in the country in winter.

Create: Nov 20, 2021 Edit: Nov 20, 2021 Regional News

Fence wall completed around Sassanid fortress

The construction of a fence wall has been completed around Falak-ol-Aflak fortress, an imposing monument of Sassanids, which dominates the capital city of Khorramabad in western Iran. “The wall has been constructed based on the original model and historical documents,” Lorestan province’s tourism chief said on Sunday. “Moreover, traditional materials have been used in the recent construction that has harmony with the fortress.” The unmissable eight-towered monument seems particularly dramatic when floodlit at night, offering picturesque views of its encircling crenelated battlements. Lorestan is a region of raw beauty that an avid nature lover could spend weeks exploring. The region was inhabited by Iranian Indo-European peoples, including the Medes, c. 1000 BC. Cimmerians and Scythians intermittently ruled the region from about 700 to 625 BC. One of the most prominent archaeological findings of the fertile region is the ancient “Luristan Bronzes”, which are noted for their eclectic array of Assyrian, Babylonian, and Iranian artistic motifs. Lorestan was incorporated into the growing Achaemenid Empire in about 540 BC and successively was part of the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid dynasties.

Create: Nov 15, 2021 Edit: Nov 15, 2021 Regional News

Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System closed amid safety concerns

The UNESCO-registered Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System has been closed to visitors amid safety concerns after its western side was announced to be “unstable”. “Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System was closed to the public until further notice due to the unstable conditions of the western wall,” Mehr reported on Sunday. “Cultural heritage experts have warned for years about the instability of this part of the World Heritage,” the report said. Earlier in October, a local official announced that leakage of the site, which is known globally as a masterpiece of creative genius, is an immediate concern and needs to be restored. “To prevent water leakage in the historical structure, which could result in its destruction, short-term measures are taken,” the official said, Mehr reported. Studies and research are being conducted and meetings with consulting engineers are underway to find a way to cause the least damage to this ensemble, the official added. The ancient hydraulic system comprises bridges, weirs, tunnels, canals, and a series of ancient watermills powered by human-made waterfalls. It is named after an ancient city of the same name with its history dating back to the time of Darius the Great, the Achaemenid king. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2009, the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System may testify to the heritage and the synthesis of earlier Elamite and Mesopotamian knowhow. According to UNESCO, the ensemble was probably influenced by the Petra dam and tunnel and by Roman civil engineering. The property is as rich in its diversity of civil engineering structures and its constructions as in the diversity of its uses (urban water supply, mills, irrigation, river transport, and defensive system). The Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System testifies to the heritage and the synthesis of earlier Elamite and Mesopotamian knowhow; it was probably influenced by the Petra dam and tunnel and by Roman civil engineering. “The hydraulic system has been considered a Wonder of the World not only by the Persians but also by the Arab-Muslims at the peak of their civilization,” according to the UN cultural body. Furthermore, one of its main canals is a veritable artificial watercourse that made possible the construction of a new town and the irrigation of a vast plain, at the time semi-desert. UNESCO says that the Shushtar Historical Hydraulic System demonstrates outstanding universal value as in its present form, it dates from the 3rd century CE, probably on older bases from the 5th century BC. It is complete, with numerous functions, and large-scale, making it exceptional.

Create: Nov 15, 2021 Edit: Nov 15, 2021 Regional News

Russian tour operators begin excursions to Iran

A number of Russian travel agents and tour operators have recently arrived in Iran for a week-long familiarization tour, Mehr reported on Friday. The group, which entered the Islamic Republic on Thursday through Imam Khomeini International Airport, was scheduled to travel earlier this year following the implementation of Iran-Russia visa waiver for group tours; however, because of coronavirus restrictions, they were forced to postpone the journey, the report added. Supported by Mahan Airlines, the group will tour the southern cities of Kerman, Mahan, Shiraz, and central city of Isfahan as well as the UNESCO-registered Lut Desert in the barren heartland of Iran. The tour will be held observing strict health protocols and social distancing rules. Earlier in June, the former Iranian tourism minister Ali-Asghar Mounesan finalized work on a bilateral visa-free agreement for tourist groups with Russia. In 2017, former Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin inked a visa-free agreement for tourist groups. A joint technical committee has been developing an action plan for the previously agreed visa-free travel arrangements since then, in order to put the agreement into effect. However, the outbreak of the coronavirus put a halt to the agreement. Based on the 2017 agreement tour groups of 5 to 50 people heading to [easternmost parts of] Russia from Iran or vice versa are granted a visa-free stay of up to 15 days. Back in May, Mostafa Sarvari, who presides over the tourism marketing and advertising office of the Iranian Tour Operators Association, announced many Russian tourists are eager to travel to Iran, recounting his Russian counterparts. “Many [potential] Russian travelers are motivated to visit novel and lesser-known destinations such as Iran that could be a safe and attractive destination,” he said. “According to Russian tourism experts, the feedback from Russian tourists who have traveled to Iran has been very positive, and its reflection, especially on social media, has caused a great deal of enthusiasm and interest.” According to Ebrahim Pourfaraj, who heads the Iranian Tour Operators Association, rounds of negotiations have been held between Iranian tour operators, travel marketers, and their Russian counterparts. “We’ve been commenced talks with some Russian travel agents to put Iranian destinations on their itineraries…. And the Iranian Tour Operators Association has also entered negotiations with Russian unions for outbound tours to attract more travelers from Russia. Pourfaraj says the majority of potential Russian travelers are unaware of the vast tourist attractions that exist in every corner of Iran. “The fact is that Iran’s political and economic relations with Russia are considered as good, but this has nothing to do with attracting tourists because it is directly connected with the Russian people. It is the Russian people who must choose Iran as their destination.” Maya Lomidze, executive director of the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, had told Sputnik that the visa agreement may significantly surge the tourist flows between the two countries, just like it happened when a similar deal was signed between Russia and China. The flow of Iranian tourists to Russia increased by 50-70 percent following the operation of direct flights that connect Iran to St. Petersburg, Moscow, and Sochi, she said. Iran is taking proactive measures in line with the long-term goal of 20 million tourists by 2025.

Create: Nov 9, 2021 Edit: Nov 9, 2021 Regional News