Opportunities and Limitations of Tourism Industry in Iran

According to the UNESCO in 2007, Iran is among the five top countries in terms of cultural heritage and among the top ten countries in the world in terms of the potential of international tourist attraction. The main issue is that, regarding the high potential of Iran in terms of attracting tourists, why it has not been successful in this issue? Investigating the literature related to this issue indicates that, the tourism industry in Iran has opportunities and limitations. Therefore, in the present study, using a meta-analysis technique, these opportunities and limitations in Iran are investigated. The results of the research indicate that, the history and civilization of Iran, appropriate and unique ecotourism, the existence of diverse sects and religions, and low costs of tourism in Iran are among the most important opportunities and potential of tourism in Iran. In addition, the existence of political and planning limitations, over-reliance on oil incomes, infrastructural limitations and concentration of industries and services in only a few big cities, cultural and religious limitations, limitations related to advertisements and media, and limitations regarding training are among the most important challenges and limitations of the tourism industry in Iran.