Iran (IMNA) - On Saturday, Mohammad-Ali Shah-Hosseini, the deputy governor-general for economic coordination and tourism, unveiled plans to transition from tile and ceramic manufacturing to developing a green tourism industry as part of the province’s "New Yazd" transformative strategy.
During a meeting with entrepreneurs and tourism professionals, Shah-Hosseini noted that Yazd has historically been a hub for tile and ceramic production, attracting a large non-native workforce. He revealed that out of 250,000 workers in this sector, approximately 100,000 are non-locals, which has influenced local culture, particularly in cities like Ardakan. He stated, “Given the cultural and environmental challenges brought by this industrial migration, we must replace polluting industries with cleaner, sustainable alternatives.”
The New Yazd strategy aims to replace industries that consume significant water or cause environmental pollution with green tourism initiatives that align better with Yazd's natural ecosystem. This shift is particularly timely as Yazd has been designated the 2024 Tourism Capital of the Asian Dialogue Forum (ACD), positioning it to leverage its rich cultural and environmental heritage. The province's historical core was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2017, further boosting its attractiveness to global tourists.
Shah-Hosseini emphasized the importance of the upcoming ACD tourism ministers’ summit scheduled for next month in Yazd, viewing it as a crucial opportunity for the region's tourism sector. He also encouraged local universities and tourism students to participate in the event, advocating for academic expertise to play a role in shaping sustainable tourism development.
Yazd is often described as a "don't miss" destination by visitors due to its unique features such as mudbrick houses with innovative badgirs (wind catchers), atmospheric alleyways, and various Islamic and Iranian monuments. Cultural heritage experts regard Yazd as a testament to the intelligent use of limited resources in desert survival, with water supplied through an ancient qanat system dating back to the Sassanid era.
The historical core of Yazd is rich with mudbrick houses, bazaars, public bathhouses, water cisterns, mosques, synagogues, Zoroastrian temples, and centuries-old gardens. The city exemplifies peaceful coexistence among Islam, Judaism, and Zoroastrianism. The qanat system has provided water for agricultural and permanent settlements for millennia and remains vital for the city's infrastructure today.
Tehrantimes
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