An Empirical Evaluation of Tourism Policy and Planning: The Case of Isfahan

Tourism has been considered an alternative approach for economic development of urban areas. To live up to a sustainable approach towards tourism, many actors such as residents, NGOs, locals, industries and government and authorities must be involved in the planning and implication of any tourism project. Therefore, it is utmost important to understand the viewpoint of each of these stakeholders. Nevertheless, what is less considered in the literature is the perception of sustainability by these stakeholders, especially in non-western context. Therefore, to fill this gap, this research would take Isfahan as a case that is one of the most important cities in the field of tourism industry that has a unique role in the tourism economy system of Iran and as an international destination is visited annually by thousands of domestic and foreign tourists. As such, the purpose of the study is to deeply comprehend the perception of tourism strategy and arrangement by authorities in the case of Isfahan. This survey aims to identify current Isfahan’s tourism policy and planning. Then the study will find out new planning strategies for the case of Isfahan in order to improve the umber o tourist flows. Following a qualitative approach and based on semi-structed interviews of 21 respondents who were in charge of city planning and tourism in Isfahan. The study finds various problems blocking the path to the sustainability of tourism development in the city. As a result, compelling solutions and insight for better planning and iv implication of the city has been provided. Further implications for theory and practice have been discussed in-depth. Keywords: tourism policy, tourism planning, sustainable tourism, tourism strategies, tourism projects, case of Isfahan.