Identifying Key Drivers Affecting the Future of Cultural Heritage Management in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, Mazandaran University, Chalus, Iran

2 Professor . School of Architecture. College of Fine Arts. University of Tehran

3 Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University

4 Department of tourism, Faculty of Research Excellence in Art and Entrepreneurship. Art university of Isfahan.

Abstract

Context and Purpose: The evolving concept of heritage, its increasing interaction with the surrounding environment, its growing importance in sustainable economies, and the rise of threats to heritage have led to the emergence of new thoughts and approaches in cultural heritage management. Cultural heritage management provides an appropriate legal and technical framework for effective conservation, ensuring heritage sustainability, and the proper utilization of cultural heritage (including the interpretation and marketing of heritage, as well as facilitating visitor access). The field of cultural heritage management has received very limited attention in Iran. Therefore, the present study aims to identify the key drivers influencing the future of cultural heritage management in Iran using a future studies approach. By identifying the dimensions and components of cultural heritage management knowledge, this research seeks to create a suitable platform for achieving a desirable state in cultural heritage management in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach: This research is applied in nature, employing library research and expert interviews for data collection. To this end, an interview form was designed, and interviews were conducted with 30 experts in the fields of cultural heritage, tourism, and archaeology, leading to the identification of 45 initial factors influencing cultural heritage management in Iran. Subsequently, by constructing a cross-impact matrix, utilizing expert opinions, and employing MICMAC software, the drivers affecting the future of cultural heritage management in Iran were identified.
Findings: The research findings indicate that ten factors, namely "heritage organizational structures," "trained human resources," "preservation of heritage values," "a clear and purposeful vision," "crisis management planning," "appropriate policymaking," "integrated heritage management," "heritage conservation funding," "international conventions and guidelines," and "heritage prioritization in higher-level documents," are, in order of importance, the key drivers affecting the future of cultural heritage management in Iran.
Conclusion: The research results demonstrate that planning for the development and improvement of these drivers can significantly contribute to the cultural heritage management system in Iran and facilitate progress towards a desirable state. Based on these findings, it is recommended that public participation and inter-organizational cooperation among relevant heritage bodies be further emphasized in order to enhance the reciprocal relationship between cultural heritage and society. This objective is essential for ensuring the future sustainability of cultural heritage and promoting sustainable cultural tourism.
Originality/value: Given the lack of prior research in Iran on identifying and ranking the drivers affecting the future of cultural heritage management, this study presents a novel contribution to the field. Incorporating perspectives from experts and specialists further strengthen the originality and validity of this research.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Tourism Planning and Development
Volume 14, Issue 55
December 2025
Pages 109-141

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