Identifying elements related to the evaluation of public policies in Iran's tourism industry Identifying elements of tourism policy evaluation in Iran

Policy evaluation is the guarantor of their control, direction and perfection. But in the field of tourism industry, less attention has been paid to this important matter. The current research, with the aim of identifying the main elements related to the evaluation of tourism policies in Iran, is a step to partially cover this knowledge gap. To answer this main research question: What are the basic elements (dimensions, categories and concepts) to evaluate the general policies of tourism in Iran? The method of conducting this research is mixed (qualitative and quantitative). The research data included documents, texts related to the subject, the results of interviews with seven experts and the answers to the questionnaires of 21 experts who were selected by purposive sampling. Qualitative data was obtained from the review of related documents and literature, interview tool and Delphi method. In the initial stage, 18 categories and 59 basic concepts related to the evaluation model of public policies in Iranian tourism were identified and extracted and related to these 5 comprehensive dimensions of tourism policy evaluation: Diagnosing the problem, formulating the policy, legitimizing the policy, implementing the policy, evaluating the policy. For validation, the factors extracted during three rounds of the Delphi method were given to 21 experts. Based on the findings of the research, a total of 44 basic concepts related to the following 14 categories were identified for the evaluation model of tourism policies in Iran: Addressing the central issue, Having a comprehensive approach, Concern for experts, Rationality of the policy, Policy dynamics, Policy coherence, Legality, General admission, Efficiency, Executive commitment, Having the necessary tools, Continuity of assessment, Having appropriate evaluation indicators and Attention to the positive results of the policy.