Feasibility Study of Tourism Industry Development in Ardebil City

Tourism is one of the most important industries of today and a very profitable and developing one. Tourism affects all three sectors of economy, i.e. industry, agriculture and services directly. It is also very influential in a balance growth of incomes, providing healthy living environment, intellectual and sustainable development. During the recent century, tourism has found an extensive economic and social significance so that a large portion of economy in some countries is dependent on the foreign currency earned from tourism. Enjoying remarkable tourist attractions as compared with other countries of the world, Iran has the potential of huge earnings from this industry. Given the location and abundant natural and human resources as well as historical and religious attractions makes Ardebil city a unique city of exceptional capability for tourism. Proper policymaking and good strategy may contribute to the development of tourism thereby taking the first efficient step toward elimination of poverty and the economic- social development of the region. The present research tries to make use of the available case studies on Ardebil City, though very scarce, and to categorize the information on this City and to provide a relatively detailed study of tourism and tourist attractions in the region and to identity the development ways, bottlenecks and possibilities of this industry.