Political transitions and transition events in a tourism destination

Abstract

AbstractDespite the growing body of research on the interconnectedness between tourism and politics, significant research gaps remain. One such area is the relationship between political transitions and changes in tourism destinations. This article examines Iran as a case study of the interrelations. Drawing on semistructured interviews with key informants, this paper highlights the significant impacts that political transitions have had on Iranian tourism in general and inbound tourism in particular over time. The findings reveal that the divergent perceptions of key actors in Iran's political arena have affected the tendency and outcomes of tourism development in the country and make it aligned with the domestic political agendas and foreign policies of different factions in the country. Tourism has become a matter for political debate in the country's conservative‐dominated political institutions and is harnessed to the pursuit of policies that are linked to the dominant ideological orientation and religious doctrine. Overall, the study deepens and extends existing knowledge surrounding politics, power, and tourism by providing new insights into the process of political transition in a non‐Western country and its ramifications for tourism destination development.