Sleepy industrial tourism that must be awakened
Iran is a country with an area of more than 1.5 million square meters with unique and irreplaceable cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism, which has a special value and respect from the distant past until now, but there is room for industrial tourism that can cause prosperity. Economy and development should be comprehensive, why is it unloved?
According to the IRNA cultural correspondent, the cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism of any country are in fact the culture of every nation and the basic element of the people, which is the essence of the culture of any nation and expresses the national and cultural identity of countries. .
In the meantime, there is room for reflection on this important industry, which can be attracted by attracting more tourists and ultimately lead to currency appreciation and economic prosperity, because it has been neglected and paid special attention to in recent years. It is not hoped that in the thirteenth people’s government we will see the flourishing of this valuable industry by providing appropriate solutions by the authorities.
Accordingly, promoting the position of the tourism industry in the country’s macro-development plans and determining its contribution to the growth of the national economy on the one hand, and increasing public participation and investment and private sector support in tourism projects on the other hand can prosper and The development of this industry in the post-Corona era has helped and played a significant role.
Also, the government transformation document, which emphasizes the simultaneous attention to domestic tourism along with attracting foreign tourists and targeting the development of family tourism, in this context can be a way forward and stimulate the tourism engine as an economic driver industry.
Iran and tourism development
In this regard, Fariba Maleki, a lecturer at the University of Tourism, told IRNA: “Iran, with its many historical, artistic, religious and architectural monuments, as well as numerous natural and cultural attractions and a four-season climate, has a very high position in attracting domestic tourists.” Has a foreign.
Maleki emphasizes that our country has very good conditions for all types of tourism subsets, especially ecotourism and adventure tourism, due to its convenient location and access to the sea and diverse nature from both sides, including forests, valleys, caves, rivers, lakes, mountains, etc. .
He said that tourism in Iran is one of the most beautiful and at the same time the most accessible event that can be held at the lowest cost and earn the most income through it, adding: “If this potential has its main and real place in Find all cities and villages of Iran, and be tangible in society, that is, we have been able to be active in informing and creating social, cultural and economic context in attracting domestic tourists and by providing new facilities in attracting foreign tourists. Also do well.
Health tourism in the past and present
The professor of the University of Tourism continued: Tourism is not health, tourism and health, but tourism for health. That a person travels to another country with the aim of improving their health, performing medical or cosmetic surgery or receiving other health and wellness services! It is clear that medical care in another country is directly related to tourism activities. Because the patient has entered a new cultural environment and wants to visit the city and tourist attractions and have fun and buy souvenirs.
Health tourism from the perspective of the World Tourism Organization
The author of articles and tourism books stated: The use of services that improve or increase the health and morale of the person (using mineral water, weather or medical interventions) and in a place outside the residence that more than 24 hours It has a distance and lasts from the point of view of the World Tourism Organization, it is called health tourism.
A brief overview of the motivation of patients traveling abroad
Maleki added: “Looking at the history of the health tourism industry, we see that in the past, this industry referred to patients traveling from less developed countries to developed countries to receive treatments that did not exist in the country of origin.” But today we are witnessing significant quantitative and qualitative changes in this type of travel. People now travel from richer and richer countries to less developed countries to access medical services.
The lecturer at the University of Tourism explained that the pattern shift was largely due to lower treatment costs, the availability of low-cost flights, short waiting times for medical services, increased marketing and, consequently, access to online information. Hence, we now see that many health tourists from developed western countries such as the United States, Canada and Western Europe are seeking treatment in Asia and Latin America.
He continued: “In general, short and fast treatment time, quality of treatment, advanced treatment technology, experienced doctor, reasonable price, easy and worry-free travel and sometimes the country’s tourist attractions are the main motivations for medical trips of different patients.”
Health tourism is not only medical tourism, there are other types as well
The active woman in the field of tourism stated: Health tourism can be classified in different ways. In the first classification, this type of travel is classified into three types: external, incoming and internal.
Works and functions of tourism
The professor of the University of Tourism said that the expansion of tourism should not only lead to economic prosperity, but also to the expansion of international relations, peaceful coexistence, the strengthening of friendships and the expansion of world peace and security. In addition, tourism at its high economic and social level flourishes the taste and talent and promotes education in all fields.
Emphasizing that tourism is an effective factor in reducing poverty, job creation and social justice, he said: “Tourism development provides part of the necessary funds to improve the services and facilities of local communities.” If the benefits of tourism are properly distributed in the communities and regions of a country, it will improve the living standards of the people.
The active lady in the field of tourism, stating that the development of tourism will accelerate urbanization in its positive sense and rural development and prevent the flood of migration of villagers to cities and provincial centers, added: How do we deal with medical tourists in the guise of tourism facilitator Health, whether in the guise of a doctor, nurse, translator or even an intermediary, as well as the way government officials policy, determines the path of growth and achieving our collective benefit through this industry.
Maleki continued: “In the meantime, creating appropriate infrastructure and focusing on providing quality medical services on the one hand and the responsibility of each person present in the medical tourism process on the other hand will cause the brilliant development of this border and environment and medical tourism in Iran.” .
Iran and tourism development
Emphasizing that our country, Iran, with its many historical, artistic, religious and architectural monuments, as well as numerous natural and cultural attractions and the four seasons climate, has a very high position in attracting tourists, he added: Tourism in Iran is one of the most beautiful and at the same time It is now the most accessible event that can be held at the lowest cost and earn the most income through it.
The author of the book Cultural Tourism of Oramanat (West of the country) stated: If this potential finds its main and real place in all cities and villages of Iran, and is reflected in society, it means that we have been able to raise awareness and create a social context. , Cultural and economic to take an important step in the development of tourism.
Overview of the health tourism industry
Maleki continued: The tourism industry, which is in the third place after the oil and automobile industries, has positive effects on the economies of countries through currency exchange. With the passage of time and the development of this industry, various branches of tourism such as sports, religious and health tourism have emerged. What makes the difference between these branches is the motivation of people for tourism and why they travel.
He said: “On average, the income from medical tourism for countries is more than 3 times that of normal tourism.” The dramatic growth and increasing popularity of medical tourism has attracted the attention of policymakers, the media and investors. The industry is low-cost but lucrative, and has a much brighter future than governments envision.
Sustainable development
The lecturer of the University of Tourism stated: The World Commission on Environment and Development was established in 1984 by the United Nations. The commission issued a statement entitled “Our Common Future,” which provided a clear definition of sustainable development: “Development that can meet the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” »
The active lady in the field of tourism stated: “Sustainable development of tourism is based on the three principles of economy, society and environment, which balances these three pillars will lead to sustainable development of tourism.” Today, tourism is developing and spreading rapidly, this development requires the need for people to be aware of the effects of tourism on the tourist environment and the principles of sustainability in various aspects. Therefore, the tourism industry, while being economically profitable, must be planned in a way that has the least destructive impact on the host communities and the environment.
Sustainable development of tourism, why and how?
He said that sustainable tourism plays an important role in regulating the relationship between tourism and tourists, adding: “This relationship must be dynamic and constructive to minimize environmental and cultural damage and ultimately provide visitor satisfaction and economic growth in the region.” help. Sustainable tourism development emphasizes improving the supply chain of local products, encouraging local industries and professions, development commensurate with environmental capacity, and increasing the stability of tourism revenue.
The position of tourism industry in today’s societies
Noting that today the tourism industry has developed more and is closer to its real position, Maleki continued: “Today’s governments and societies have realized the importance of this industry and its important position in political and economic issues, and this industry can be considered Listed the top five most important and money-making industries in the world.
Emphasizing that sustainable development means taking care of resources for future generations and proper use of economic, social, cultural issues and every citizen should be responsible for his environment, he said: The arrival of foreigners for treatment by leaders will also create security and proper use of tourism services.
The last word
The lecturer of the University of Tourism stated: “Sustainable tourism strategy in today’s world is the approach of a society that wants long-term growth of the tourism industry without detrimental effects on natural ecosystems and emphasizes that in the form of tourism development, people will be able to Manipulate in a positive or negative direction.
Maleki, stating that paying attention to the mentioned factors and using it in developing a comprehensive tourism plan can help the sustainable development of the tourism industry in Iran, said: He became more acquainted and experienced more responsible travels.