The Role of Religious tourism in The Planning System of Qom City

Religious tourism is a type of tourism in which participants are motivated by religious reasons. The aim of the research is to investigate the role of religious tourism in the planning system of Qom city. This research has been developed in terms of practical purpose and in terms of descriptive-analytical method. The data obtained from the research was collected by documentary and field method based on the opinions of 35 experts and using a researcher-made questionnaire. The research findings showed; Religious tourism is not directly mentioned in any document or development plan until the fifth plan. The prioritization of the components showed that the shrine of Hazrat Masoumeh (PBUH), the Jamkaran Mosque and religious places are known as the most important components in the development of the landuses of Qom city, and the planners and officials of the regional levels and the national and local level planners have the lowest rank among the components according to the experts. Also, the results of the research showed that the planning system's attention to religious tourism in Qom city and the whole country is moderate to low. Concluding, as a social and cultural reality, religious tourism plays an essential role in the sustainable development of Qom and the country's tourism, and executives, planners and activists can provide reasons for the development of religious tourism in its various dimensions by preparing and implementing development plans.