Iranian academic centre for education، culture and research ACECR

The holy shrine of Imam Reza (A.S) and various natural and historical attractions in Khorasan province and the holy city of Mashhad have made tourism one of the province’s most important developmental capacities. The interactions between tourists and native citizens of tourist sites exert various effects on the tourist destinations' atmosphere, community, culture, and economy. On the other hand, Mashhad hosts millions of domestic and foreign pilgrims and tourists annually as the largest religious tourism hub in Iran.

What mentioned above points to the necessity of multidisciplinary and multidimensional studies on tourism, especially religious tourism, which would only be possible by conducting systematic studies and establishing a scientific research institute in this field. Regarding the multifaceted nature of tourism and the need for multidisciplinary studies in this regard  (in terms of physical, social, cultural, and economic dimensions) and the lack of a central research institution in the field of tourism studies, ACECR Tourism Research Institution started its professional activities since October 2010 (Mehr 1389 Iranian calendar) after obtaining the approval of its head office, seeking to focus on specialized researches on tourism based on the basic needs of Iranian community and the national documents approved in the country, including the Iranian 1404 Vision Document (Iran 2025 vision plan), Iran's Fifth Economic, Social, and Cultural Development Plan, Khorasan Razavi Province Development Document approved by the council of ministers in 2008, Astan Quds Razavi Vision Document, Mashhad Vision Plan, General Metropolitan Development Pattern, Mashhad Metropolitan Developmental Vision Document in a 20-year Horizon.

Considering what was discussed above, one of the important aims of ACECR is to meet the research needs of executive policymakers in the field of tourism. Moreover, considering the relative advantages and future needs of Iran and Khorasan Razavi province, the institute has defined qualitative research development and innovative solution for identifying the relevant problems as its main missions. Taking the multidisciplinary nature of tourism and the need for a comprehensive look at this phenomenon into account, this institute currently constitute of the following three research groups:

1. Tourism Sociology Research Group (starting from 1995 (1374 Iranian calendar))

2. Tourism Management and Planning Research Group (starting from 2002 (1381 Iranian calendar)).

3. Tourism Economics Research Group (starting from 2004 (1383 Iranian calendar))

 

Vision

1. A pioneer research institute in identifying the problems, requirements, and challenges of the tourism industry;

2. Turning into a Science research hub in Iran in religious tourism;

3. Improving its abilities in conducting effective fundamental, applied, and developmental studies;

4. Making effective scientific research communications with universities, research centers, and specialized scientific associations at the national and international level.

Research orientation:

• Considering the needs of Khorasan Razavi province and the holy city of Mashhad in identifying research issues and adopting research strategies;

• Developing a systematic and interdisciplinary research program network for sustainable religious tourism;

• Improving policy studies in tourism based on the results of the above-mentioned researches

 

The capabilities of the Tourism Research Institute

Some of the distinct activities carried out by ACECR are as follows:

* Conducting 501 completed or ongoing research projects in specialized fields, out of which 81 projects are dedicated to tourism;

* Publishing 4 issues of Scientific Research Journal of Tourism Studies;

* Publishing 187 articles in scientific research journals;

* Presenting 252 papers in scientific research conferences and seminars;

* Authoring and translating 43 books;

* Holding 57 specialized workshops and meetings;

* Developing a specialized tourism research program network;

* Holding an International Conference on Tourism Strategies of the Islamic Republic of Iran: Challenges and Prospects.

 

Website of Tourism Research Institute (www.itor.ir)

Website of the Journal of Social Studies in Tourism (www.journalitor.ir)

Address: ACECR Tourism Research Institute, Ferdowsi University Campus, Azadi Square, Mashhad, Iran / Contact number: 051-31997501   Fax: 051-31997502