محمدعلی خلیجی

In recent decades, the tourism industry has emerged as one of the most significant catalysts for economic growth and social development worldwide. Given its rich cultural and natural endowments, Iran possesses the potential to become a premier destination for halal tourism. Halal tourism appeals not only to Muslim travelers but also to those seeking a healthy and ethically oriented lifestyle. This study aims to investigate the opportunities and challenges of developing halal tourism in the Makran region, employing an applied, descriptive, and analytical research design. Data were gathered through simple random sampling and analyzed using factor analysis. The findings reveal that the current framework for halal tourism in Makran lacks the requisite efficiency. Widening gaps in legal, economic, social, environmental, and institutional domains pose significant barriers. Key challenges include inadequate infrastructure, insufficient training of human resources, poor resource management, and a lack of coordination among relevant institutions. Moreover, water scarcity and non-compliance with environmental conservation principles further impede the progress of halal tourism in the region. This research proposes that sustainable development of halal tourism in Makran can be achieved by enhancing infrastructure, improving human resource training, increasing transparency and accountability, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders. Such an approach would not only drive economic growth in the region but also facilitate greater cultural and social exchange. Ultimately, adopting innovative tourism models and leveraging the region’s unique assets could enhance the efficacy of tourism management.