Seyedehparisa Hosseini - School of Public Affairs, University of Science & Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui,۲۳۰۰۲۶, China
Seyedmaziar Hosseini - Department of Industrial Engineering, Iran University of Science & Technology, Naarmak,۱۶۸۴۶-۱۳۱۱۴ Tehran, Iran

Applying innovation policies has many benefits for the tourism industry which is one of the main pillars of the economy. Implementation of these policies can help to realize the regional and national tourism potentials. If we are satisfied with existing assets and capabilities in the country, in the absence of creativity and innovation in tourism, the repeat experience will not be attractive and tourists will not remain loyal. Innovation as one of the most important factors in tourism development needs prepared strategies for its Implementation and it will not be possible without considering its specific and extraordinary environment. Accordingly, the question that arises is that, does innovation in tourism have a positive impact on the number of visitors in Iran by considering the status and performance of the study area Hence this research aims to recognize the innovation policies which can be used to promote the tourism sector in Iran. In this article, we first classified tourism attractions into four categories including cultural, historical, natural and artificial attractions. Then, by using a descriptive survey, the proposed applications of innovation in each abovementioned category monitored to show feasibility and possibility of various patterns of innovation in tourism industry. Further, a SWOT analysis was used to identify the required innovation policies by considering current status in tourism sector of Iran.

Innovation policies, Tourism industry, SWOT analysis