Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism Development

In the Third Development Plan for Iran (1999-2004), a high priority was placed on developing non-oil sources of income and tourism was highlighted as one area of the economy for development. The development of niche tourism, such as eco-tourism or cultural tourism,is clearly in tune with public policy in IR Iran given the emphasis now placed on developing non-oil income and the identification of tourism as an important sorce of such income.In view of the Islamic character of the Iranian society and system, such niche forms of tourism that attract visitors who are readier to accept the codes of dress and behaviour required in the country than tourists