Tehran to Host International Tourism Content Festival, Showcasing Iran’s Rich History, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 27, 2025

Iran intends to host the 1st International Tourism Content Festival in February 2026. Artists, film directors, content developers, and those interested in the industry of tourism will be displayed in a way that reflects the depth of cultural, historical, and natural heritage through digital creative content. The festival will go a long way in projecting Iran’s tourism potential to the global audience. The event will coincide with the Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, with the winners of the festival scheduled to be announced on February 14, 2026.

A Platform for Creative Storytelling and Cultural Promotion

The International Tourism Content Festival is being organized by Yazd Islamic Azad University, in collaboration with the Marketing and Foreign Tourism Development Office of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. The festival’s primary goal is to harness the power of digital content to promote Iran’s diverse cultural landscape, historical landmarks, natural beauty, and unique experiences to international audiences.

By focusing on creative digital storytelling, the ITCF aims to tap into the growing trend of visual content consumption across the world. As digital media continues to play an increasingly important role in influencing travel decisions, the festival provides a valuable opportunity for content creators to produce videos that highlight Iran’s tourism offerings in an engaging and visually appealing manner.

Encouraging Global Participation: A Call for International Content Creators

Organizers of the festival have invited artists, filmmakers, and content creators from around the world to submit their creative works, which must be bilingual video content tailored for international audiences. These submissions will focus on Iran’s cultural, historical, and natural diversity, highlighting the country’s distinct identity under the theme of “Iran, the land of authentic experiences.”

The content themes for the festival encompass a broad range of topics, including Iran’s rich history, diverse culture, scenic landscapes, Iranian cuisine, traditional customs, and religious and spiritual tourism. The inclusion of these diverse themes ensures that the festival captures the full spectrum of what Iran has to offer as a travel destination, aiming to resonate with a wide range of global travelers.

In particular, the content will focus on the unique experiences that Iran provides—experiences that are authentic, rich in tradition, and often off the beaten path. By featuring these authentic experiences, the festival seeks to highlight the allure of Iran as a travel destination that offers something for every type of tourist, whether they are interested in cultural exploration, culinary delights, or spiritual journeys.

Exclusion of Commercial Advertising and Brand Promotion

To maintain the integrity of the festival and its focus on cultural and tourism promotion, organizers have specified that submitted content must not include any commercial advertising or brand promotion. This ensures that the content remains focused on showcasing Iran’s authentic attractions rather than marketing products or services. As a result, the festival will feature high-quality, non-commercial content that provides genuine insights into Iran’s cultural and natural assets.

While the ownership of the submitted works will remain with the creators, the festival’s secretariat will hold usage rights, with proper attribution, to promote the content and increase its visibility worldwide. This gives content creators an opportunity to have their work showcased on an international platform, while also contributing to the global promotion of Iran as a premier tourism destination.

Award Categories and Recognition of Excellence

The International Tourism Content Festival will feature several categories for video submissions, providing ample opportunity for recognition across different content lengths. The entries will be judged based on their creativity, storytelling, and ability to effectively present Iran’s tourism potential. Awards will be given to the top three entries in each of three categories based on video length: under one minute, one to three minutes, and three to ten minutes, for a total of nine winners.

An additional award will be given based on public choice, allowing the audience to have a say in which content resonates most with them. The public’s involvement will not only help promote the festival but also encourage greater interaction between Iranian tourism promoters and international audiences, offering a more direct link between Iran’s cultural content and global tourism interest.

Following the submission process, entries that generate significant public attention will be reviewed by a professional jury of media and tourism experts. This expert panel will help select the final winners, ensuring that the festival recognizes the most outstanding content based on artistic and technical merit, as well as its effectiveness in promoting Iran as a top tourist destination.

Impact on Tourism: Promoting Iran to a Global Audience

The International Tourism Content Festival is expected to have a profound impact on the promotion of Iran’s tourism sector. As the country continues to open up to international visitors and looks to diversify its tourism offerings, initiatives like the ITCF play a key role in reshaping the global perception of Iran. By presenting the country’s diverse and authentic experiences through digital content, Iran can attract new travelers and tap into the growing market of tourists seeking cultural and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

With the global popularity of digital media and social networks, the festival’s content will have the potential to reach millions of viewers, encouraging them to explore Iran’s unique cultural sites and natural wonders. As travelers increasingly rely on online resources to plan their trips, the festival’s impact on tourism is likely to be long-lasting, fostering greater awareness and interest in visiting Iran.

Moreover, the festival will help establish Iran as a leading cultural tourism destination, building on the country’s rich history, heritage, and vibrant traditions. By leveraging creative digital content, Iran can position itself as a dynamic and attractive destination for travelers looking for authentic cultural experiences.

Linking Iran’s Tourism with Global Audiences

The timing of the festival is also strategic, as it coincides with the 19th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition, an event that brings together tourism industry professionals from around the world. The synergy between the ITCF and the exhibition will provide a platform for greater visibility and interaction between tourism professionals and content creators. It will also allow for the direct exchange of ideas and strategies to promote Iranian tourism both regionally and globally.

As the winners are announced on February 14, 2026, the festival is expected to gain significant media attention, further raising the profile of Iran’s tourism industry on the world stage. The combination of creative digital storytelling and international exposure could pave the way for an influx of new visitors to Iran, helping to drive the future growth of the tourism sector.

Shaping the Future of Iran’s Tourism

The International Tourism Content Festival is an inspiring and visionary endeavor that is going to play an integral part in determining the future of Iran’s tourism industry. The ITCF, with its digital storytelling concept, offers Iran a remarkable platform to introduce its varied cultural and natural resources through a format that appeals to contemporary tourists. Through this festival, Iran is going to display the authentic value of its tourist resources, which are expected to attract global tourists to experience Iran’s interesting history, culture, and people. The world interest in digital media makes it possible to bring substantial growth to Iran’s tourism opportunities through the ITCF, which can then establish itself as a destination not to miss for global cultural tourists.