Analyzing and Classifying of the Requirements for Effective Tourism Destination Management in Iran

Today, destination management is recognized as a determining factor in the competitiveness and sustainability of tourism destinations, particularly in developing countries that face numerous structural, institutional, and environmental challenges. This study explores and categorizes the requirements for effective destination management in Iran, as one such developing country. To this end, an exploratory qualitative approach was employed, and data were collected through interviews with senior managers of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis in MAXQDA software, resulting in the identification of 278 open codes, 13 axial codes (themes), and one selective category. These requirements were classified into three overarching levels. The first level, fundamental governance requirements, includes the need for policy and regulatory reforms, the promotion of cross-sectoral perspectives, addressing the impacts of sanctions, ensuring adequate investment, and fostering a tourism culture. The second level, strategic and structural requirements, encompasses the necessity of establishing destination management structures, adopting development-oriented planning, strengthening tourism-specific data, and recognizing the importance of stakeholders in destination development. The third level, operational and executive requirements, covers the development of tourism infrastructure, workforce training, marketing and improved crisis management. The findings provide a comprehensive perspective for optimizing destination management in Iran and offer effective strategies and solutions for policymakers, public-sector managers and planners, as well as private-sector actors and other stakeholders involved in destination governance.