Effects of Religious Tourism on the Cultural and Social Dimensions of Shahr-e-Rey

The tourism industry is one of the largest service industries in the world, which is called ‘invisible exports’. Its economic, social, cultural, and even political effects are evident in different regions. Religious tourism is one of the most common types of tourism and is one of the most important motivations for tourists. As a social phenomenon, religious tourism arises from the interaction between tourists and local communities. These interactions play a decisive role in the local communities’ cultural and social dimensions. Religious tourism is a means of connecting people with different religions and cultures. The present study was an attempt to investigate the position of tourist attractions and their effects on the cultural and social dimensions of the region. This study used an analytical-descriptive approach and questionnaire. The sample size was 100 and comprised of the region’s residents, tourists, experts, and city managers, who were selected through a random sampling technique. The data was gathered through questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS software. The results showed a significant relationship between religious tourism attractions and their effects on social and cultural dimensions.