Developing cultural tourism among nations

One of the types of tourism is cultural tourism that its aim is observation of destination cultural manifestation includes of customs, behaviors, life styles, festivals, exhibitions, art, and music. In really, cultural tourism is a coexistence art in cultural bed. In this type of tourism, visitor is doing to research, learn and experience about him or other selves community culture. Nowruz Eid is one of the late traditions and cultural heritage of Iranians. It ages thousands years and its prosperity increases every year such that it was registered as the world feast by UNESCO this year (2010). This ceremony commences in the first day of spring after end of cold season and flowers growth, and is as nature festival of Iran. Many tribes live in Iran such as Turks, Lors, Kords, Fars, Arabs, Baluches, Khorasani, Guilani, etc, which Nowruz is the most important joining ring of them. In fact, Nowruz is festival of all Iranians and it has never been belonged to a certain tribe. From features of this national ceremony are Haft-sin (Seven-S) table, housecleaning, year delivery ceremony, visiting relations, shows and plays, Nature Day, etc, which starts from the first day of spring and continues to the 13th day of spring. Origin of Nowruz is not clear, but it ages to 3000 years ago and is the oldest national ceremony in the world. Today, this ancient ceremony is executed not only in Iran, but also in Middle Asia and Middle East countries such as Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, and parts of China, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan, Kurdish parts of Iraq, Syria, and Turkey. Because of its importance and age, this ceremony can play an important role in development of cultural tourism.

This study examines Nowruz history, geographical extent, features and ceremonies to develop tourism and cultural terms among different nations. Obviously, this develops friendly relations instead of animosity between different nations. It also has many advantages like creating jobs and income, decreasing poverty, protecting ecological values, extending tourism infrastructures, developing modern ethical values, increasing social equity, protecting local resources, and totally improving livelihood and life quality in local communities.

Research method is descriptive-developmental, namely we first examine concepts and variables related to Nowruz. Then strategies of development of this ceremony between different nations will be examined. Information is gathered from libraries and documents, and data are analyzed by content. Results show that prosperity of this ceremony has increased during thousand years. Also, this ceremony can be used as a tool to develop cultural tourism in national and international levels.