Whilst still relatively unvisited by UK travellers, interest in Iran had been steadily growing amongst UK travellers ahead of the recent political unrest – which has now forced some operators to put tours on hold.
There has been an uptake in bookings by more mainstream tour operators like Cox and Kings, as well as increased interest in the products offered by more adventurous operators like Exodus and Wild Frontiers who offer group adventure tours and tailor-made trips.
These days you can even fly to Tehran with some of the more mainstream budget flight operators, such as BMI.
Indeed, it appears the country has been benefiting from the same sort of demand from well-travelled, curious Brits in search of new experiences that has seen an increase in visitor numbers to destinations such as Syria and Lebanon’s capital Beirut of late.
So why Iran? As the operator Wild Frontiers acknowledges on its website, “A trip to Iran will not be for everyone.” However, there is much to see and experience in the country, which is around three times the size of France.
Home to an ancient civilization and formerly the centre of a Persian Empire that stretched from Greece to India, Iran long held a prominent position on the ancient Silk Road trading route – itself a popular choice for an escorted tour.
Its ancient towns and cities like Qom , Tabriz, Persepolis, Shiraz, and Esfahan, with its enchanting Imam’s square – not to forget the vibrant and cosmopolitan capital, Tehran – are rich with sites of historic interest from enchanting palaces and ziggurats to mosques and lively bazaars.
So, as Wild Frontiers sums it up: “Iran may not be the first place you’d think of for a holiday, certainly if sunbathing and beer are an essential part of your getaway requirements.
“But for the culturally inquisitive, Iran offers a feast of ancient sights, a rich culture, interesting and varied landscapes, splendid cuisine and very hospitable people.”
The list of operators who feature Iran and sell through the UK travel trade includes:
- Explore
- Exodus
- Imaginative Traveller
- Intrepid Guerba
- World Expeditions
- Wild Frontiers
- Peregrine Adventures
- G.A.P Adventures
- Audley Travel
- Cox and Kings
