sustainable tourism management and water crisis in Iran

The tourism industry over the past six decades has been one of the world''s largest economic sectors with the fastest growth rate and can play an important role in the realization of the three dimensions of sustainable development. Although sustainable tourism is more in theory than reality¡ protection of environment¡ environmental justice¡ respect for the authenticity of the host society and achieving the goals of sustainable economic development and the economic aspects of tourism.The objective of this article is to evaluate the rapid development risk for the tourism sector in Iran. The study aims to provide input for tourism-related water management and governance. Based on a thematic literature review from different angles key pressures for water resources are categorized. The identified key problems and pressures related to the critical water situation are contrasted with Iran tourism policy strategies which emphasize a sustainable tourism. The opposing perspectives of science and policy on prospects and problems provide the basis for a SWOT analysis to assess and discuss risks and opportunities of current tourism development. Core strategies and related measures are derived to provide impulses for sustainable water management and governance and as a support for concrete policy implementation.