Sustainable cultural heritage landscape: an imaginary journey inside the veins of deserts

Persian Qanats, recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, serve as unique attractions for foreign tourists, leaving lasting impressions and offering captivating experiences akin to fiction. A study analyzing the narratives of 30 tourists who visited these ancient groundwater systems revealed their significant potential in promoting sustainable cultural heritage tourism in Iran. The research employed qualitative and narrative analysis methods, avoiding reliance on numerical data to delve into the extraordinary experiences of visitors exploring these desert conduits. This approach highlights the importance of leveraging travel narratives to showcase the invaluable engineering heritage of Persian Qanats, a nascent branch of tourism in Iran that has yet to be fully recognized.

Mousazadeh, H., Zhu, K., Ghorbani, A., Akbarzadeh Almani, F., Arabi, M., Parvar, F., & Dávid, L. D. (2023). Sustainable cultural heritage landscape: an imaginary journey inside the veins of deserts. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881