Analysis of the Position of Religious Tourism in the Islamic Republic of Iran in Enhancing Convergence with Neighboring Countries (A Case Study: Iraq)
Subject Areas : political sociology
amir pooyan rafieeshad
1
*
,
mohammad Hemmati
2
,
علیرضا استعلاجی
3
1 -
2 - shahr rey branch. islamic azad university
3 - استاد
Keywords: Tourism, Tourism Policy, Convergence, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq,
Abstract :
Background and objectives:
Iran, with its rich cultural and natural capacities, has the potential to attract Muslim tourists and can take a leading role in this regard. Cultural-Islamic planning and policies within the framework of cultural engineering and tourism development documents emphasize the importance of attracting and expanding foreign tourists. Given its diverse religions and rich religious sites, Iran ranks among the top countries in the world in this domain.
Method: The present study is applied in terms of its objectives and qualitative and exploratory in nature regarding the data collection method. The participant population for this research comprises all experts in the fields of geopolitics, tourism, and international relations. Utilizing a purposive sampling method based on Cochran's model, a sample size of 40 individuals was estimated. The data collection instrument consisted of semi-structured interviews, which were validated both formally and content-wise, with reliability assessed using Cronbach's alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.74. For data analysis, the mean test and Pearson correlation were employed using SPSS software.
Findings: The limitations on tourism development in Iran stem from various factors, including war and negative propaganda, which have contributed to the country's lag in this sector. The implementation of appropriate policies can significantly impact the growth of the tourism industry and increase visits to religious sites. Tourism diplomacy plays a crucial role as a tool for enhancing international relations and promoting national culture.
Results: Research indicates that brokerage, contextual, procedural, and structural factors have a significant impact on the success of religious tourism in Iran. The unfavorable state of tourism policies and diplomacy, coupled with the effects of sanctions and negative media portrayals, has adversely affected both the number of tourists and foreign exchange revenues. Religious and political alignments play a crucial role in the development of tourism, whereas economic and social alignments exhibit a weaker connection. The design of appropriate tourism policies can enhance tourist attraction and strengthen Iran's international relations.
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