Verses and Values: Enhancing Potentials for Literary Tourism in Semnān Province

This paper explores the potential for developing literary tourism in Semnān Province, highlighting prominent classical Persian poets such as Ibn Yamin Farūmadi and Manūchehri Dāmqāni, alongside mystics like Bāyazid Bastāmi and Sheikh Kharaqāni, whose burial sites and related historical structures offer underrated potentials for niche tourism. The study is a model-informed and applied qualitative research. As such, it identifies various barriers hindering the development of literary tourism in the Province, including inadequate infrastructure, limited promotion, and low public awareness. To overcome these challenges, the paper recommends the enhancement of existing literary sites through initiatives, modelling on successful global examples of literary tourism. Furthermore, noting the rich mystical tradition of the region, the paper proposes promoting spiritual tourism to provide a holistic experience for tourists seeking both cultural and spiritual enrichment. By strategically leveraging its rich literary and spiritual heritage, Semnān can position itself as a key destination within Iran’s broader tourism strategy, catering to both domestic and international tourists interested in specialized tourism experiences.

کلیدواژه ها:

Cultural Heritage Tourism ، Literary Places ، Literary Tourism ، mysticism ، Semnān