strategic planning for sustainable tourism development in the persian Gulf with focusing on the Iranian islands

Abstract

Iranian islands have been stable, reliable, dynamic and developed centers in the Persian Gulf and in the vast civilized country of Iran for centuries. Escalated tensions, chaos and political and security crises in this geopolitical marine highway are major challenges to prosperity and development of these islands in the last century and after the World Wars I and II. Most of these islands are already quite underdeveloped and uninhabited. Those islands with a few residents are deprived of basic living supplies and equipment. Development of oil and gas fields in this blue zone solely led to environmental pollution instead of development. Other economic sectors such as agriculture, fishing and pearl hunting alone do not contribute to development of these islands due to environmental pollution, deficient basic supplies and uninhabited state of the islands in the Persian Gulf. Iranian government has purely considered military and security of these islands for decades, especially after the Iran-Iraq war. This is a barrier to development of these islands. Sustainable tourism was suggested as an appropriate option for economic, social and environmental development of these Islands in this study based on results of research hypotheses and new findings in development of global islands. A new vision was recommended for development of the islands in this study: The overall vision lies in creating a new destination image with a new brand. Not only military and security aspects, but also sustainable tourism development are included in this vision. Hopefully, economic, social and environmental sustainable development will be achieved along with a more stable security in the Persian Gulf. A certain mission and useful strategies were also suggested for development of the Islands. Faror Island is evaluated as an example with high potential for tourism development. This island was recently converted to a free zone in the region. Development planning was implemented in the island too.