Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Model to Unlock Sustainable Heritage Tourism Potential

A significant portion (34%) of Isfahan Province's Persian caravanserais, newly inscribed UNESCO World Heritage Sites, exhibits very high potential for sustainable heritage tourism development. This finding emerges from a multi-criteria decision-making model, the BMW-WLC framework, which evaluated 39 criteria across eight sites—including network connectivity, tourist attractions, facilities, climate, geomorphology, and hazards. The analysis revealed that while Gaz and Gaba Abad rank highest overall, they require tailored climate adaptation strategies to mitigate risks. This study demonstrates a data-driven approach to assessing tourism potential in heritage contexts, offering actionable insights for balancing preservation with development.

Salehipour, M., Kazemi, N., Jokar Arsanjani, J., & Karimi Firozjaei, M. (2025). Developing a Multi-Criteria Decision Model to Unlock Sustainable Heritage Tourism Potential. Sustainability, 17(8), 3703. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17083703