yahya tavakkoli

Today, tourism plays an important role in all areas of the economicsocial development. This paper studied the impact of tourism on university social capital based on a conceptual model with focuse on religious and cultural tourism as well as its role in social functions of students. This study was a descriptive, cross-correlation method. The statistical population consisted of all students participated in cultural and religious tours of Semnan University in the academic year 1390-1391. A total of 175 subjects were selected as sample using Morgan sample table and were picked by random sampling. For data collection a researcher's made questionnaire was used. Data analysis was done with confirmed factorial analysis. Findings indicate that cultural and religious tourism can have a positive impact on university social capital through its effect on students behavioral pattern, religiosity and gained experience.