The Need to Brand Nahavand's Tourism / From National Registration of Dehfoul to Launching a History and Archaeology Museum

The head of the Hamadan Province Directorate-General of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts and the people's representative for Nahavand in the Islamic Consultative Assembly held a joint meeting to discuss the historical, natural and handicraft capacities of the county.

According to the report of Aria Heritage reporter, Mohammad Reza Akbari, head of Hamedan Province's General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts and Alireza Nisari, representative of Nahavand people in the Islamic Council on Sunday, October 19, at the meeting to review the capacities and solutions for the development of tourism, cultural heritage and handicrafts in the city, discussed the need to develop short-term, medium-term and long-term plans, brand tourism and strengthen the necessary infrastructure for the economic development of this area.

In this meeting, the natural and historical tourism capacities of Nahavand, the necessity of targeted introduction of local attractions and products, the pursuit of the national registration of Dehful village as a furniture and carving village, and planning for the restoration and establishment of the Nahavand Museum of History and Archeology were discussed.

Nahavand needs a specific plan and vision for tourism development

Mohammad Reza Akbari, Head of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province, pointed to the significant capacities of Nahavand in the field of nature tourism and mirages, and emphasized the necessity of branding these attractions and creating infrastructures suited to the needs of tourists.

Pointing to the importance of going beyond the mere introduction of attractions and moving towards the development of effective tourism, he said: Nahavand's natural and tourism capacities should be introduced and strengthened in the form of a specific program, and the necessary infrastructure should be provided to convert visitors into tourists.

Akbari added: The development of tourism can lead to an increase in economic and social benefits when, in addition to the introduction of attractions, the grounds for the permanence of tourists, the increase of the length of stay and the benefit of local businesses from their presence are also provided.

Stating that Nahavand tourism needs targeted planning and a clear vision, he clarified: Branding of the city's natural, historical and cultural attractions should be accompanied by the development of infrastructure and attention to the needs of tourists so that the existing capacities become sustainable economic opportunities for the region.

Pursuing the national registration of Dehful village as a furniture village

The head of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Hamedan province also emphasized the need to seriously pursue the national registration case of Dehful village as a furniture village and said: This issue is on the agenda of this General Directorate.

Akbari, referring to the importance of handicrafts and native arts in giving identity to tourist destinations, considered it necessary to continue pursuing this case until the result is achieved and added: the national registration of this capacity can provide the basis for wider introduction of the capabilities of Dehful artists, strengthen the position of this village in the tourism of the region and provide more opportunities for the supply of manufactured products.

National registration of local souvenirs and products, a step for Nahavand branding

He further pointed out the necessity of identifying, documenting and following up the national registration of Nahavand's foods, souvenirs and flagship products and said: products such as Sunel dough, Gaz Ardi, walnut halvah, traditional Nahavand ice cream, coriander and other local products and products should be on the path of targeted introduction and registration in the list of national monuments.

Referring to the role of food and local products in introducing the cultural identity of regions, Akbari emphasized the need for the effective presence of these products in festivals, exhibitions and cultural and tourism events.

According to him, the consistent introduction of these products along with the natural and historical attractions of the city can help to strengthen the tourism brand of Nahavand, increase the audience's awareness of local assets and create new opportunities for local activists.

Restoration and establishment of Nahavand Museum of History and Archeology

The head of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Hamadan province also pointed to the purchase of the historical house of Samsam and stated the necessity of taking necessary measures to restore, equip and launch the Nahavand History and Archeology Museum.

Akbari added: The establishment of this museum can provide a basis for better introducing the historical and archaeological background of Nahavand, organizing the capacities related to introducing the historical heritage of the city and completing the chain of its cultural and tourism attractions.

The development of Nahavand tourism requires phased planning and targeted branding

In addition, Alireza Nishari, the representative of Nahavand people in the Islamic Council, pointed out the necessity of program-oriented utilization of the historical, natural and handicraft capacities of the city, and emphasized on the formulation of short-term, medium-term and long-term plans for the development of Nahavand tourism.

Pointing to the necessity of wider introduction of the city's capabilities, he stated: In order for Nahavand's tourism capacities to play a more effective role in the development of the region, it is necessary to make plans with a coherent and purposeful view, and tourism branding should be considered as one of the main axes of this path.

Pointing to the importance of coordination between executive programs and existing capacities, Nisari emphasized the need to pursue the issues raised in the meeting, including the introduction of tourist attractions, strengthening the position of handicrafts and local products, pursuing the national registration of Dehful village as a furniture and carving village, and providing the basis for the creation of the Nahavand History and Archeology Museum.

He stated: Phased planning for the development of tourism can clarify the path of pursuing priorities and provide the context for more effective use of the city's capacities in the historical, natural and cultural fields.

Nisari continued: Simultaneous attention to these capacities can provide a more coherent introduction of Nahavand, strengthen the link between tourist attractions and local businesses, and make more effective use of the city's historical and cultural heritage in the path of tourism development.

Development of Nahavand tourism by linking cultural heritage, crafts and local economy

In the conclusion of this meeting, there was a discussion on the necessity of following up the issues raised in the field of tourism, cultural heritage and handicrafts of Nahavand, which include branding of natural attractions and development of tourism infrastructure to the introduction of local souvenirs, following up on the national registration of Dehful and setting up a history and archeology museum.

In addition, the head of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Hamedan Province visited Haj Agha Tarab Bath, Samsam Historical House, Nahavand Traditional Market and Qaisarieh Square and examined the historical, cultural and tourism capacities of these attractions.