Financial Tribune- The 11th Tehran International Tourism Exhibition opened on Tuesday at Tehran's International Fairgrounds amid a great deal of activities.

In the inaugural ceremony, Ali Asghar Mounesan, the head of Iran's Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, unveiled a centralized and smart system for tourism management.

Some 430 domestic companies and 70 foreign firms from 21 countries are showcasing their products and services in 10 halls and 2,000 square meters of outdoor area, ISNA reported.

The pavilions, like in previous years, are teeming with airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, hotels, hospitals and other related industries, including banks and insurance companies, publications, free zones, sports and ecotourism facilities, as well as online services. Discounted air and rail tickets for the Norouz (Iranian New Year holidays beginning March 21) are being sold at the event where eco-lodges and hotels also offer concessions for the winter as well as the next year.

In the health tourism hall, hospitals are offering free checkup and consultation. Provinces are promoting their natural, historical and cultural attractions, as well as a wide range of handicrafts in a separate hall, of which the latter has been included in the tourism exhibition since past few years. A new section in this year's expo is a hall pertaining to Iranian cuisines with the purpose of boosting culinary tourism.

Alongside all exhibitory activities, the event is featuring live folk music and other traditional performances.

The most distinct feature of this year's event is its special attention to children. Special programs have been devised for this group, including puppet shows and rituals performed by children from different provinces.

The purpose is to identify the capacities of the young generation as a target community and encourage public and private companies to get involved in publicizing children and young adults' travel.

The exhibition is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with folk music and ritual performances continuing until 9 p.m. in the outdoor area. The event will end on Jan. 26.