Sustainable tourism in Iran: Functions,challenges and solutions

Technological development in the 21st century causes humans to have more spare time than before and spend more time on her/his spare time. In fact this century should be called the tourism industry period. Due to technological, cultural, social, political and economic infrastructure established in the 21st century, the tourism is an unavoidable fact in the human behavior and action to satisfy his courage spirit. Traveling to other spots of the world whether in real and factual form or virtual form is among the living necessities of 21st century with various purposes and forms. A process which goes beyond all national and international boundaries and will have an approach beyond government and nation.As one of the sources of income and creating employment on local level, tourism can be a strategy for economic development. In particular, tourism is an appropriate alternative strategy for development when the profit of other economic activities is not sufficient. Today tourism industry is so important in the socio-economic development of the countries that economists have called it invisible export. Tourism industry is one of the industries called invisible and expanded rapidly in recent years which are among the greatest sources of income for the globe. It should be added that the giant financial cycles directly turn around the tourism industry and their effects on global economy are more efficient than direct incomes. This paper concentrates on development of sustainable tourism. In this viewpoint development of tourism based on using the existing resources is such that it answers to socio-economic and cultural needs and legal requirements of society as well as expectations of tourists so as to provide unity and coherence for cultural identity, environmental health, economic balance, and welfare of local people. This paper analyses the position of tourism industry in Iran and deals with the role, functions, obstacles and also solutions for creation of sustainable tourism industry in Iran.