Sustainable cultural heritage landscape: an imaginary journey inside the veins of deserts

Abstract

Introduction
Travel narratives are very attractive sources that examine the destination from the point of view of tourists with different attitudes. A group of studies has been conducted on travel narratives, but this type of analysis has been done very little in Iran despite their potential.

Methods
11 Persian qanats (PQs) have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Visitors who explore the qanats as conduits of the desert have extraordinary experiences that can seem like captivating fiction. The main focus of the current research is on the narratives of tourists who have visited these PQs. Qualitative and narrative analysis methods were used to avoid relying on numerical data.

Results
The study includes 30 participants who had visited the qanats and shared their travel stories. The study findings show that Persian qanats are a distinctive draw for foreign tourists that can leave a lasting impression.

Discussion
The PQs listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property are one of the unique attractions of Iran’s tourism, so far its tourism potential has been less noticed, and qanat tourism is a nascent branch of tourism in Iran. The narratives of travelers can be instrumental in promoting this invaluable groundwater engineering heritage.

Full text

Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 01 frontiersin.org
Sustainable cultural heritage
landscape: an imaginary journey
inside the veins of deserts
HosseinMousazadeh
1†, KaiZhu
2*†, AmirGhorbani
3*†,
FarahnazAkbarzadeh Almani
4, MaralArabi
5, FatemehParvar
6 and
LórántDénesDávid
7,8*
1 Purdue University, Honors College, West Lafayette, IN, United States, 2 Faculty of Resources and
Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan, China, 3 Department of Tourism, Faculty of
Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran, 4 Faculty of Commerce,
Hospitality and Tourism, Department of Tourism Management, Budapest Business University, Budapest,
Hungary, 5 Faculty of Food Science and Nutrition, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland,
6 Department of Management, Faculty of Economics and Adminstrative Sciences, University of
Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran, 7 Faculty of Economics and Business, John von Neumann University,
Kecskemet, Hungary, 8 Institute of Rural Development and Sustainable Economy, Hungarian University
of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Godollo, Hungary
Introduction: Travel narratives are very attractive sources that examine the
destination from the point of view of tourists with dierent attitudes. A group of
studies has been conducted on travel narratives, but this type of analysis has been
done very little in Iran despite their potential.
Methods: 11 Persian qanats (PQs) have been recognized as UNESCO World Heritage
sites. Visitors who explore the qanats as conduits of the desert have extraordinary
experiences that can seem like captivating fiction. The main focus of the current
research is on the narratives of tourists who have visited these PQs. Qualitative and
narrative analysis methods were used to avoid relying on numerical data.
Results: The study includes 30 participants who had visited the qanats and shared
their travel stories. The study findings show that Persian qanats are a distinctive
draw for foreign tourists that can leave a lasting impression.
Discussion: The PQs listed as a UNESCO World Heritage property are one of the
unique attractions of Iran’s tourism, so far its tourism potential has been less noticed,
and qanat tourism is a nascent branch of tourism in Iran. The narratives of travelers
can be instrumental in promoting this invaluable groundwater engineering heritage.
KEYWORDS
sustainable cultural heritage, sustainable development, water resources development,
water resources heritage, travel narratives, Qanat tourism, groundwater engineering
heritage, UNESCO world heritage
1. Introduction
Since Alfons Gabriel’s famous statement about the experience of traveling to the heart of Iran’s
pristine deserts, many tourists from all over the world have been curious to visit the desert regions of
Iran. Gabriel, who traveled to the Iranian desert three times, believed that “e desert will never let
go of someone who once fell in love with it.” Indeed, there is a unique relationship between tourism
and pristine areas, and numerous studies have been done on the connection between tourism and
less developed regions (Ghorbani etal., 2015, 2023a,b,c,d). Each country’s tourism industry is shaped
by its climate and conditions, resulting in various types of tourism (Ghorbani etal., 2021, 2023a,b,c,d).
OPEN ACCESS
EDITED BY
Samir Sayadi Gmada,
Andalusian Institute for Research and Training
in Agriculture, Fisheries, Food and Ecological
Production (IFAPA), Spain
REVIEWED BY
Matthew C. LaFevor,
University of Alabama, UnitedStates
Majid Labbaf Khaneiki,
University of Nizwa, Oman
*CORRESPONDENCE
Kai Zhu
hizhukai@163.com
Amir Ghorbani
amir1.tourism@gmail.com
Lóránt Dénes Dávid
david.lorant.denes@uni-mate.hu
†These authors have contributed equally to this
work
RECEIVED 08 May 2023
ACCEPTED 11 September 2023
PUBLISHED 28 September 2023
CITATION
Mousazadeh H, Zhu K, Ghorbani A, Akbarzadeh
Almani F, Arabi M, Parvar F and Dávid LD (2023)
Sustainable cultural heritage landscape: an
imaginary journey inside the veins of deserts.
Front. Sustain. Food Syst. 7:1218881.
doi: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
COPYRIGHT
© 2023 Mousazadeh, Zhu, Ghorbani,
Akbarzadeh Almani, Arabi, Parvar and Dávid.
This is an open-access article distributed under
the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution
License (CC BY). The use, distribution or
reproduction in other forums is permitted,
provided the original author(s) and the
copyright owner(s) are credited and that the
original publication in this journal is cited, in
accordance with accepted academic practice.
No use, distribution or reproduction is
permitted which does not comply with these
terms.
TYPE Original Research
PUBLISHED 28 September 2023
DOI 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881

Mousazadeh et al. 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 02 frontiersin.org
e Iranian desert is an extensive and arid land where water and wind
erosion have created unusual landforms like Kaluts, Caves, and valleys. In
addition to these natural structures, desert natives invented the qanat
phenomenon to live in the desert (Bartold, 1971) and have access to
drinking water (Yazdi etal., 2014).
In Iran, water has consistently remained the most essential
element for production, signicantly shaping socio-economic
frameworks. Approximately in the year 800 BC, Persians became
adept at utilizing technology for harnessing groundwater resources
(Goblot, 1979; Behnia, 1988). e architecture of the aqueduct and the
provision of cold water in the hot deserts of Iran are fascinating
subjects that attract tourists. For many years, the qanat phenomenon
has been a crucial means of providing drinking water in the arid
desert regions of Iran, where the average rainfall is very low (Ghorbani
etal., 2015, 2023a,b,c,d). Qanats in Iran consist of deep and lengthy
underground channels, through which water travels several miles
from the primary source to reach humans. Moreover, qanats are one
of the most vital sources of agricultural water supply in the Iranian
deserts. In comparison to other water sources, qanats oer a reliable
and healthy source of water, which contributes to enhancing food
security. Currently, tourism farms have been established in the Iranian
deserts to improve food security, where tourists can purchase organic
products while enjoying their stay (Ashtiani and Simmons, 2020).
ese farms aim to promote sustainable agriculture and oer a unique
experience to tourists, who can witness the traditional farming
practices of the region. By supporting these tourism farms, local
communities can boost their income and enhance their livelihoods.
Foreign tourists who have traveled to Iran to see the structure
inside the Persian qanats (PQs) consider them as vital resources of the
desert. Tourists consider the canals of the qanats as a way to travel to
the depths of the Iranian desert, and when they walk in them, they
believe that the diculty of their construction is equal to the
construction of the three pyramids of Egypt (Mousazadeh et al.,
2023b). e length of these qanats in the desert of Iran is estimated at
400,000km (Yazdi and Khaneiki, 2019; Delfani etal., 2020). Of the
41,031 qanats in Iran, 11 PQs have been registered as UNESCO World
Heritage sites (UNESCO, 2016a). By publishing images of these PQs
from inside the earth in cyberspace and their strange structure, many
tourists, under the name of aqueduct tourists, decide to travel to Iran
in the post-Corona era. Qanat and sustainable development are also
closely linked (De Ruiter, 2020). It is expected that due to the current
condition, PQs will become attractive places for tourists, which will
have many positive eects and benets for the desert dwellers of Iran.
Encouraging desert dwellers, selling handicras, creating employment
opportunities for local guides, and increasing the use of eco-lodges are
examples of qanat tourism (Mahan etal., 2019).
is study examines the 11 world-registered PQs from the
perspective of travel narrative analysis and promotes an edutainment
approach in tourism management. e main purpose of this study is
to introduce PQs through travel narratives from qanat tourists’
viewpoints. Tourists have dierent and fascinating narratives of their
journey into the central desert of Iran. ey experienced the story of
Jules Verne’s journey to the center of the earth or felt like they were
reading a ctional novel by Jules Verne (Schweinsberg and Darcy,
2022). Investigation of PQs and their role in tourism management
studies is a new subject that has not been researched much. While
Naghibi etal. argued about the structure of the qanat, its function, and
water quality and presented a comprehensive study on qanat structure
engineering (Sedghi and Zhan, 2020), they did not consider the qanat
phenomenon from the viewpoint of tourism management.
Khorramrouei and Nasiri discussed visiting the qanat for tourists as a
memorable experience, but they did not explore the narratives of
tourists (Ebrahimi etal., 2021). erefore, the present study aims to
encourage researchers to pay more attention to the narratives of
tourists and their role in tourism management research methods.
is study aims to introduce the 11 incredible Persian qanats
registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List, utilizing an
edutainment approach. It also aims to familiarize tourism researchers
with new topics and qualitative methods in tourism management and
showcase the beauty of the Iranian central desert and its water structures.
To achieve these goals, weemploy the narrative analysis method to
analyze the captivating narratives of tourists during their journeys into
the Persian aqueduct. As noted by scholars (Haris etal., 2020), travel
narratives are essential and fascinating, enabling the development of an
edutainment approach in tourism management. e narrative analysis
method is advantageous over other qualitative methods due to its ability
to present tourists’ opinions freely, providing a comprehensive
understanding of the destination from their point of view. Narratives are
an attractive source for destination studies (Mura and Sharif, 2017).
e current study is unique and timely, as it contributes to lling
the gap in the eld of tourism management in the PQs. Applying a
new qualitative research method (narrative analysis) to introduce the
tourism attractions of 11 PQs is a novelty in the current study.
Compared to the qanat background literature, the present study can
introduce the qanat as a tourist attraction and reect tourists’ opinions
about it, while previous studies have mainly examined the opinions of
experts (Mura and Sharif, 2017).
e above research questions were designed to explore (1) why
PQs are attractive to foreign tourists, (2) how tourists narrate their
memories of visiting the PQ, (3) what tour guides think about PQ
tourism and its functions, and (4) why collecting and publishing travel
narratives are essential in tourism management.
2. Literature review
Qanat is a remarkable feat of engineering by ancestors and an eective
method for sustainable water distribution and management (Naghedifar
etal., 2020). is water supply method has been extended and evolved in
most arid regions of the Iran plateau (English, 1998; Cheng et al., 2023;
Zhou et al., 2023) and 34 other countries (Habashiani, 2011). According
to Moghadam etal. (2021), Iran is considered the birthplace of qanat due
to its unique geographical location compared to other countries,
particularly its hot and dry climate, where qanats rst emerged and
developed/evolved and the evolution of qanats took place about
3,000 years ago. Nevertheless, the geographical origin of qanat is still a
subject of controversy, and youcannot take it for granted that Iran is its
historical origin. Moreover, the ancient qanats in Oman have been dated
at 4,000 years ago (Italian Mission to Oman, 2013, p.337). e emergence
of cultivation for livelihood spending, insucient natural surface water
resources, and the diculty of transferring water from far main sources
to the site point are factors that led to the creation of qanats (Rouhani,
2020). Iran and other nations, such as Iraq, China, Algeria, Syria, and
Jordan, are widely accepted as having one of the most common and cost-
eective irrigation systems. In addition, the aqueduct serves to prevent
destructive oods and increase local participation in water distribution.

Mousazadeh et al. 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 03 frontiersin.org
Climate change is causing global dry lands to expand (Zhu etal.,
2023a,b), posing a threat to global food security (Yao et al., 2020),
particularly in Iran (Doulabian etal., 2020; Rahimi etal., 2020; Fazel-
Rastgar, 2021). Furthermore, the irrigation of agricultural lands with
qanat water is directly linked to food security and sustainability
(Mousazadeh et al., 2023b). For over 1,000 years, qanat has been one of
humanity’s innovations that have had a signicant impact on agriculture,
irrigation (Bonine, 1996), and the formation of communities, prosperity,
and construction, particularly on the Iran plateau (Bensi, 2020). e
motivation for humans to devise and use the qanat system in desert
regions was climatic changes toward the world getting warmer (Zeppel
and Beaumont, 2011). Because Iran has dierent climatic and
geographical environments, mostly arid and semi-arid climates, the need
to irrigate cultivated lands led to navigating underground water through
the qanat system. Although the technique of constructing qanats was rst
invented in the North and Northwest of Iran, it was predominantly used
by desert dwellers in the central and eastern regions. roughout history,
qanats have played a signicant role in these districts, particularly from
economic, socio-ecological (Lightfoot et al., 2023), and political
perspectives (Manuel etal., 2018). e construction and utilization of
qanats in Iran date back to 6,000 years ago in response to water scarcity
and extreme drought on the plateau (Delfani etal., 2020). e term qanat
was rst mentioned in an inscription by Sargon, king of Assyria, in
700 B.C. (Barshan, 2018). e peak of prosperity and digging of qanats
dates back to the time of the Achaemenid dynasty (550–330 BC),
particularly during the reign of Darius the Great, when this technology
was transferred from Iran to Egypt (Soroush etal., 2020). During the
Parthian period, this technology was transferred from Iran to China, and
then, during the Safavid period, when water scarcity intensied, the
digging of qanats peaked again. Almost all of Iran’s excavated qanats
belong to the last 200 years or, in other words, the Qajar dynasty (Barshan,
2018). Hence, Iran, with the highest number of qanats in the world, has
roughly more than 41,031 qanats with a total length of 400,000km (Yazdi
and Khaneiki, 2019). e longest and deepest qanats in the world are
located in Yazd province and Gonabad City (Mostafaeipour, 2010).
e simplicity of qanat construction is an art that has undergone
less change over the years (Salek, 2019). e three primary internal
constituents of PQs are the mother well, wells, and the channel. e
ultimate point of each qanat is called “Pishkar,” where the mother well
is situated. e mother well, which is the deepest well in the chain of
vertical sha wells, is the head of the qanat and the main source of the
water supply, at which the underground channel terminates (Figure1).
e deepest mother well in Iran, with more than 300 m depth (Yazdi and
Khaneiki, 2016), are located around Gonabad city. In the qanat system,
several wells are interconnected by an underground tunnel that conveys
the groundwater from headwaters downstream. As shown in Figure1,
the qanat consists of a series of tunnels with varying depths that have
been dug from the beginning to the end. e most crucial function of
wells is to transfer air into the ground and dredge the water path (Radaei
etal., 2020). e other component is the channel containing dierent
vertical wells that transport the water from the mother well area to the
outlet point or, in other words, Mazhar. Mazhar is an area located near
the village where the qanat reaches the surface aer its underground path.
In conclusion, qanat is an innovative and sustainable method of
water supply that has been utilized for thousands of years in Iran and
other arid regions worldwide. e qanat system has played a crucial
role in agriculture, irrigation, and the formation of communities,
prosperity, and construction, particularly in the Iran plateau.
2.1. Qanats: structure and function
According to e Iranian Ministry of Energy report in 2018, the
number of qanats was 41,031 with a total discharge of 4,531 million
cubic meters (Khaneiki, 2019; Moayedfar and Fatemi, 2021). e most
signicant qanats are located in arid provinces such as Khorasan,
Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Markazi, and Fars. UNESCO has designated
11 qanats as symbols of ancient hydraulic structures in the world, with
each containing noteworthy peculiarities in terms of longevity, length,
depth, discharge rate, ancientness, water transmission, and
management technology (UNESCO, 2016b). ese masterworks have
crossed the borders of Iran, and their inscription as the 20th Cultural
Intangible Heritage by UNESCO reects the Persians’ dexterity in
mastering hydraulic engineering (Ghorbani etal., 2019, 2023a,b,c,d).
2.2. Qanat tourism
Foreign tourists, especially adventurers, travel to Iran to visit
unique natural and tourist attractions, such as the Lut Desert World
Heritage Site, the valley and desert of Jinn, and the Cloudy Ocean
phenomenon (Ghorbani etal., 2019, 2023a,b,c,d). Qanat tourism can
play a crucial role in protecting cultural and natural heritage and
reviving the economy of less developed regions (Omidvari and
Golzari, 2016; Morote et al., 2017). Qanat tourism can actually
beconsidered a subcategory of cultural tourism, which is currently
growing in the world (Labbaf Khaneiki and Semsar Yazdi, 2015).
Qanat studies can beclassied into two categories: natural and
human. e natural criteria of research relate to the physical and
chemical conditions of the aqueduct and are divided into two groups:
technical, engineering, and geological. e technical engineering
criteria, including corridor morphology, aqueduct depth, and qanat
discharge, are crucial in tourism planning for the aqueduct. Selecting
the appropriate corridor dimensions reduces design costs and the
need for modications and changes to the main structure of the
aqueduct (Barshan, 2018; Radaei etal., 2020). e geology of the
qanats is another critical natural criterion essential for studying and
implementing tourism projects.
Human-related criteria are also vital in qanat tourism, particularly
management, access, and distance from other attractions. Access to
attractions is a crucial factor in adventure trips (Nepal, 2020). Even
waterless qanats can beprepared for tourist visits, highlighting the
potential for proper tourism development to revive abandoned areas
(Gao and Wu, 2017). e existence of 400,000 km of underground
qanats in Iran (Yazdi and Khaneiki, 2019) is a surprising fact for many
tourists. Qanat tourism can serve as a new source of income for the
government and local people, increase the economic eciency of
qanats, and facilitate their maintenance (Table1).
3. Methodology
3.1. Study area
e PQ has been a vital component of underground water
extraction in Iran since ancient times. It holds a unique place in the
country’s cultural, social, political, and physical environment,
providing a foundation for territorial collaboration and social capital

Mousazadeh et al. 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 04 frontiersin.org
(Khaneiki, 2019; Zivdar and Karimian, 2020). e structure of PQ
dates back to 6,000 years ago, and its technique has spread to other
areas of the world over time, owing to the favorable output of qanats
(Delfani etal., 2020). e PQ scheme comprises 11 component parts
shared across six Provinces (Isfahan, Yazd, Kerman, Razavi
Khorasan, South Khorasan, and Arak, see Figure1), providing an
excellent testimony to the practice of supplying arid areas with water
to sustain settlements. e role of qanats in the scientic and
communal accomplishments of dierent cultures is crucial, and the
name “qanat Civilization” conveys its vital signicance for the greater
arid area.
At the time of nomination, a management policy and action plan
were outlined for the PQs, which will betransformed into individual
section management and maintenance plans, including interpretation
and tourism management plans (Mousazadeh et al., 2023a,b).
erefore, our study areas for the PQs have been identied in these six
provinces of Iran (Table2; Figure2).
3.2. Tourists narrative analysis
In tourism studies, the narrative approach is oen used to present
the current state of information on a given subject, such as tourism in
PQs, from a theoretical and qualitative perspective (Perkins et al.,
2020). While narratives have been investigated as an object of study,
few submissions have employed narrative interpretation as a research
tool (Mura and Sharif, 2017). e narrative methodology encompasses
a range of approaches and strategies under an umbrella concept
(Pasquinelli and Truno, 2020), and is suitable for responding to the
goals and objectives of research that require a synthesis of subjects. A
narrative analysis allows for the coverage of topics that are too broad
for focused systematic literature searches perspective (Perkins
etal., 2020).
For PQ tourism, a narrative approach is used to rstly analyze the
specic capabilities and potentials of each qanat, and secondly, to
describe the attractions of qanats and their impact on the local
economy, as well as proposals and activities for paying special
attention to PQ in tourist studies. Visiting “Persian Qantas” has
always piqued the interest of tourists, and this study seeks to
understand the structure of the technology used to develop qanats,
their relative position in the socio-cultural context of the locals over
the centuries, how they were constructed, and how they managed the
various dicult stages of construction. Understanding the role of
PQs in heritage tourism requires an examination of how qanats
operate, their performance (Mousazadeh etal., 2023a,b), and their
wonder through narratives.
While various methods and approaches have been used to
analyze qanats and heritage tourism sites in Iran (Mousazadeh etal.,
2023a,b), this study focuses on the experiences and narratives of
visitors as tourists, experts, academic researchers, and local people.
is is due to the novelty of the research methodology and topic, and
the lack of scripted research or tour guides to rehearse scripted
narratives. erefore, a spatial narrative analysis has been
supplemented by thematic narrative analysis and quantitative text
analysis. is study takes place within the framework of an
interpretative inquiry, which takes into account the nature of
experiential evidence as well as the form of interpretation and
narration (Ritunnano etal., 2022).
Respondents include professionals, researchers, and locals who
have experienced travel, research, and work related to PQs, and
interpret PQ narratives based on their experiences and knowledge.
e analysis is focused on the premise that readers do not correct the
meanings found in each story, but are also actively (re)produced and
(re)interpreted (Taragin-Zeller, 2018; Trzeciak and Schäfer, 2021).
e end product of this research is what some researchers have
termed a “spatial narrative,” which highlights that listening and
FIGURE1
Diagram of a qanat structure (Delfani etal., 2020).

Mousazadeh et al. 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 05 frontiersin.org
narratives are powerful methods to introduce and showcase the
tourism potentials and capacities of World Heritage sites, especially
those that have been neglected, such as PQs (Mousazadeh etal.,
2023a,b). It is worth noting that PQs have been registered as Iran’s
Twentieth Heritage at the 40th UNESCO World Heritage Summit
(Figure3).
3.3. Data collection and participants
To identify the tourism potential and capabilities of PQs in this
study, the authors utilized the narratives and memories of
participants, as recent tourism studies have emphasized the
importance of this technique (Mura and Sharif, 2017). Pure
narrations and travel experiences are particularly signicant in
tourism studies, especially for unique and rare areas. Hence, the
narrations of those who visited the aqueducts formed the basis of the
research analysis.
Aer consulting with experts on the world heritage of PQs, 30
participants were selected for this study, including qanat tourists and
local Moghannis.
1
e selection criteria for tourists were individuals
who had visited each aqueduct more than once. To showing
geographical location of PQ sites in six provinces, GIS soware was
used, and photography was employed to showcase the capabilities and
wonders of each qanat.
It is worth noting that qanat tours usually employ a local person
in the area, known as a “Moghanni,” to prevent damage to the
qanats and to prevent tourists from getting lost in the qanats. Due
to challenges and problems in the research process, as well as the
COVID-19 pandemic that online media it became an integral part
of tourists’ lives (Ghorbani etal., 2023a,b,c,d), specialized online
meetings were held between research members, ocials, and PQ
experts to determine the best solutions for each section.
rough this study, the authors aim to provide a deeper
understanding of the tourism potential and insight of PQs. By
lling the gap in previous studies, this research seeks to shed light
on the unique cultural, social, and physical environment of PQs,
and their role in supplying water to sustain settlements in arid areas
(Table3).
1 Moghanni is someone who works on the PQs and is known as a local
specialist of qanats and dug and excavate the qanats. From these people, pure
and special information about PQs can beobtained.
TABLE1 PQs registered on UNESCO World Heritage list, source: (Mousazadeh etal., 2023b).
Row Name Location Antiquity Depth Length Highlights
1Qasabeh Gonabad, Razavi
Khorasan
2,500 years 300 m 33 km e deepest mother well in the world, the oldest
and most watery qanat in the world
2 Baladeh Ferdows, South Khorasan 2,000 years 150 m 35 km Includes 16 qanats, two springs
3 Ebrahim Abad Arak, Markazi 800 years 110 m 11 km It is the only conical qanat in the world
4 Akbar Abad & Qasem Abad Baravat, Bam, Kerman 200 years 44 m 1,100 m Twin qanats
5Zarch Yazd 3,000 years 23 m 120 km e longest qanat in the world
6 Hasan Abad-E Moshir Mehriz, Yazd 2,000 years 40 m 71 km e best water quality, Plaster and salt layers do
not form along the channel path
7Moon Ardestan, Isfahan 800 years 31 m 4 km It is the only two-story qanat in the world. On the
oors of this qanat, there is a separate streams
that never collides with each other
8 Vazvan Meymeh, Isfahan 2,500 years 18 m 1,200 m It has an underground dam that can close the
outlet and store water for seasons when farmers
need more water
9 Mozdabad Meymeh, Isfahan 2,000 years 100 m 18 km e second ancient Persian qanat, It looks like a
cave
10 Gowhar-riz Joopar, Kerman 750 years 50 m 3,750 m e most active qanat, Water supply from the
fault
TABLE2 Persian qanats sites in the world heritage, source: study
findings, 2020.
Row Province Qanat name
1 Isfahan Vazvan
Mozd Abad
Moon Ardestan
2Kerman Ghasem Abad
Akbar Abad
Goharriz
3 Yazd Zarch
Hasan Abad-e Moshir
4South Khoras an Baladeh Ferdows
5 Razavi Khorasan Qasabeh
6Arak Ebrahim Abad
Tot a l 6 11

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4. Results and discussion
4.1. Persian qanats tourism
In order to ensure the preservation of the technical, cultural, and
historical values of PQs, wepropose adding a new function to qanats
that would guarantee their protection. One such function is the
development of tourism in the qanats (Labbaf Khaneiki and Semsar
Yazdi, 2015). By developing the areas where qanats are located and
generating tourism revenue, the protection of qanats can bejustied
(Labbaf Khaneiki and Semsar Yazdi, 2015). Additionally, the
introduction of qanats as a new attraction can help to promote tourism
in the regions(Charloux etal., 2018; Ebrahimi etal., 2021).
Qanats represent an environmentally friendly system that
embodies unique technical knowledge and engineering heritage. e
PQ’s environmentally friendly perspective is used to describe PQs as
FIGURE2
Study sites.
FIGURE3
Narrative analysis in travel & tourism (Source: Researchers, 2021).

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a system that aligns with principles of environmental conservation
and sustainability (Mahan etal., 2019). Due to their environmentally
friendly characteristics such as sustainable use and preservation of
water resources, reduced energy consumption, sustainable cultural
and historical heritage (Mousazadeh etal., 2023a,b), and minimal
environmental disruption, PQs serve as an attractive tourist
destination for visitors worldwide who are interested in sustainable
and heritage tourism. e structure, tourism route, and map of PQs
are presented in Figure4.
4.2. Qasabeh gonabad qanat
In 2016, a short clip of the Qasabeh qanat of Gonabad captured
my attention, sparking a journey to explore the wonders of “Persian
qanats.” e initial destination was the Qasabeh qanat of Gonabad.
Upon arrival in Gonabad, the author traversed the city’s agricultural
lands, which have been irrigated by the qanat water for centuries. e
Qasabeh qanat stands as a masterpiece of engineering both in its
historical context and in the present day, evoking a growing
admiration with each new discovery. is qanat can beperceived as a
living organism that has persevered for centuries with the assistance
of the locals. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the world’s
oldest qanat with the largest Mother Well. e observed rise in foreign
tourists visiting the qanats in recent years, as witnessed by the author
in their capacity as a tour leader in Iran, serves as a testament to the
remarkable characteristics of the Qasabeh Gonabad qanat.
Undoubtedly, it ranks among the most extraordinary man-made
phenomena, symbolizing humanity’s harmonious coexistence
with nature.
A local tour guide once said, "Have youever thought that among
all these attractions, there might bea place where the blood in your
veins would freeze at the thought that it was made by genii or
ghosts? Iamtalking about the Qasabeh Gonabad qanat in Iran! Our
elders always said that the construction of this aqueduct at this
depth could not bedone by the son of Adam, and wehave no doubt
that this aqueduct was built by forces beyond human beings. It is not
without reason that a French researcher named Henri Goblot, in
describing his encounter with the Qasbeh aqueduct in the language
of praise and mysterious wonder, refers to this aqueduct as a strange
and, of course, engineering construction. ey have had
superhuman strength!"
Furthermore, a farmer who irrigates their land with qanat water
said, “e farm that Iset up with my family members is completely
irrigated with qanat water. roughout the year, many tourists come
here to purchase our products, and weeven ship products to those who
cannot visit. ese tourists oen claim that the products taste better
because they are irrigated with qanat water. Wehave applied for the
establishment of a tourism farm and hope to expand our business.”
4.3. Qanat of baladeh
Baladeh qanat in Ferdos holds the distinction of being another
PQs registered in UNESCO. e visit to this site took place during
autumn, the season when pomegranate gardens are harvested in Iran.
Ferdos, known for its exceptional pomegranates, provided an
opportunity to savor the fruit while engaging in conversations with
local farmers regarding the qanat. Notably, the water originating from
Baladeh qanat irrigates the gardens in this region. While en route to
the qanat’s fountain, a pause at a nearby residence facilitated
discussions with workers who shared intriguing stories and even
oered a glimpse of an operational watermill powered by qanat water.
Recognizing the qanat’s signicance in the agricultural sector and the
regional economy, the Baladeh Ferdos qanat symposium was
convened in June 2009, following the suggestion of colleagues.
One foreign tourist shared their experience, stating, ""Before
traveling to Iran and visiting its qanats, Ihad no mental idea about
it. Ientered the qanat with local guides. It was as if the walls were
talking to me, as if Iwanted to sit and watch for hours. e sound
of water, the sound of water! It is impossible to believe that such cold
water exists just a few meters below the very hot surface of the earth.
Iwould like to travel there again" (Male, Baladeh qanat tourist,
August 2020).
Furthermore, "Agricultural lands in the region are mainly irrigated
by Baladeh qanat, which is one of the most signicant sources of
agricultural water supply in the region. Saron lands are irrigated with
water from qanat and motor pumps, and Baladeh water in Ferdows.
Saron requires fresh water, so farms that are irrigated by qanat and
spring water also have good yield and longer life."
4.4. Ebrahim abad qanat
is qanat features a unique well that holds exceptional
signicance. While walking near the qanat’s exit point, a stop at a local
grocery store provided an opportunity to inquire about the UNESCO
nomination and gather additional information. e friendly and
enthusiastic response from an elderly salesman revealed that in the
past, the water level was even higher, and the entire population took
responsibility for maintaining and cleaning the underground qanat.
During the scorching summer, a journey to Tehran was necessary
to greet tourists. En route from Arak to Qom, a village called
Ebrahimabad captured our attention with its 1,000-year-old qanat.
Lunch was arranged in this village, chosen by my colleagues and me.
Upon arrival, it became evident that this qanat comprised a main
branch and two sub-branches. e construction of the main branch
was guided by the locals’ knowledge and understanding of PQ
technology. Since its inception, it has provided essential water for
agriculture and drinking purposes to the inhabitants of the ancient
village of Ebrahimabad. e 11-km-long qanat originating from the
mother well played a pivotal role in the establishment of a rural town.
As wejourneyed along the aqueduct, wewere continually amazed and
captivated by the various interconnected components, such as water
storage facilities, baths, and an exceptionally innovative water
distribution system. A local guide and Moghanni shared their
experience, stating, “I fastened my waist, knowing that I had an
adventurous journey and a very dicult path ahead. Believe it or not,
only 311 wells have been built along the main course of this aqueduct.
e walls of the wells are all hydrous, and the mother well is also aquatic
and falls to the bottom of the well with a strange sound. e fear of this
well is due to its conical shape, in which Iamjust suspended without

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Buffer Zone Mazhar Tourism route
Zarch
Buffer Zone Mazhar Tourism route
Moon
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Mozd Abad
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Vazvan
FIGURE4 (Continued)

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Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Qasabeh
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Gowhar-Riz
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Baladeh
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Hassan abad Moshir
FIGURE4 (Continued)

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Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Qasem Abad and Akbar Abad (Twin)
Buffer zone Mazhar Tourism route
Ebrahim abad
FIGURE4
Tourism routes in PQs.
access to the walls, and Ican see nothing but the terrible sounds of water
and darkness. Ebrahimabad qanat is an Iranian underground
architectural wonder that must beseen.”
Furthermore, "qanats in this area have long been used for
agriculture and crop irrigation. With proper planning and management
of the water resources of qanats in this area, in addition to attracting
tourists, it is possible to ensure the food security of tourists who visit the
area. Many tourists take the water of these qanats with them when they
arrive and buy fruits and vegetables that have been cultivated with the
water of the qanat, which serves as evidence of this claim."
4.5. Qanats of qasem abad and akbar abad
e water sourced from the two young qanats in Bam serves the
renowned palm gardens of the region, known for their date
production and exportation to other countries. Upon reaching the
exit points of these qanats, a gathering of children and women
surrounded the area. e children were engaged in playful activities
and splashing in the water, while the women were occupied with
carpet washing.
During the return journey from Goharriz, a visit to Baravat was
arranged upon the request of tourists and colleagues. e purpose was
to witness the twin qanats of Akbarabad and Qasemabad, which
earned their registration due to distinctive characteristics such as their
relative youth (approximately 200 years old), being twin structures,
and maintaining a consistent water supply. e discovery of the
mother wells of these two qanats in close proximity to each other
(approximately 100 m) revealed that their paths ran parallel for a
distance of 5 km. e manifestation of these adjacent qanats in
Baghshahr Baravat has earned them the moniker “twins.” e twin
nature of the Akbarabad and Qasemabad qanats signies the historical
and contemporary interaction, cultural cohesion, and social dynamics
among the water owners, contributing signicantly to their global
recognition by UNESCO. e square cross-section of the qanats
stands out as a notable feature, distinguishing them from other qanats
with elliptical or circular cross-sections. is architectural
characteristic provides evidence of their origins dating back to
Zoroastrian times.
A formal leader and accommodation provider shared their
insights, stating, "e abundant tourism potentials in Yazd,
primarily cultural tourism and qanats, have attracted many tourists
to these areas. Locals situated along the qanats have taken
advantage of this opportunity to become economically dependent on
the hospitality services required by tourists (e.g., local food,
accommodation rentals, local leaders, and local products). Since
villages that have the phenomenon of qanats depend on tourism,
comprehensive plans must bemade to recover tourism and improve
the economic situation of local communities. Tourists can provide

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economic hope at both the regional and local scales for the
local residents."
4.6. Qanat of zarch
Yazd province, located in desert and arid regions, relies heavily on
the Zarch and Hasan Abad-e Moshir qanats, without which it would
bechallenging to envision life in Yazd or Mehriz. e importance of
the Zarch qanat is reected in the UNESCO registration of Yazd city,
which owes much of its existence to this particular qanat. ankfully,
the qanat is well-preserved and cherished by the authorities and
residents of Yazd. Notably, the Zarch qanat boasts the longest
underground tunnel among all qanats worldwide, making it a
remarkable site to explore.
Following the visit to the Akbarabad and Qasemabad qanats, a
journey to Zarch in Yazd province ensued due to its proximity to Yazd
city. is qanat, over 3,000 years old, stretches across a distance of
100 km and encompasses 2,115 wells. Of particular interest was the
discovery of some sections of the aqueduct’s rods at the site of the Yazd
Grand Mosque. is nding suggests that the aqueduct predates the
arrival of Islam, and the mosque was constructed in close proximity
to the qanat. ese rods were utilized to ll a large water reservoir
beneath the mosque, enabling worshipers to perform ablutions using
the qanat’s water through a stream. is functional feature remains in
operation to this day. e walls of the aqueduct bear resemblance to
the pyramids of Egypt, evoking a sense of awe that is sure to
captivate tourists.
An ocer in the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Handicras, and
Tourism shared their insights, stating, "In recent years, weat the
Tourism Organization have received numerous requests for creating
tourism businesses. Most of these requests came from local people
who had received loans to establish eco-tourism resorts around the
qanats. Wehave signed hopeful contracts with banks to expedite
TABLE3 Participant profiles of narratives.
Participant demographics Narrative interviews Participant observations Qanat Row
Female, Iran, 43 years old 2 PQ tourists Qasabeh 1
Male, Hungary, 26 years old
Male, Iran, Gonabad, 29 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male, Iran, 62 years old 2 PQ tourists Baladeh 2
Male, Iran, 36 years old
Male, Iran, Ferdows 29 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male, Pland, 27 years old 2 PQ tourists Zarch 3
Male, Iran, 41 years old
Female, Iran,Yazd, 34 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Female, Canada, 47 years old 2 PQ tourists Hassan Abade-M 4
Female, Canada, 21 years old
Male, Iran, Mehriz, 33 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male, Iran, 52 years old 2 PQ tourists Ebrahim Abad 5
Male, Iran, 26 years old
Female, Iran, Arak, 34 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Female, Iran, 45 years old 2 PQ tourists Vazvan and Mozd Abad 6
Female, France,31 years old
Female, Iran, Isfahan, 35 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male, Iran, 67 years old 2 PQ tourists Moon 7
Male, Iran, 26 years old
Male, Iran, Ardestan, 34 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male, Germany, 32 years old 2 PQ tourists Gowhar-Riz 8
Male, Iran, 53 years old
Female, Iran, Joopar, 37 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Female, Iran, 30 years old 2 PQ tourists Ghasem Abad and
Akbarabad
9
Male, Spain, 41 years old
Male, Bam, 36 years old 1 PQ tour guide
Male 5, Female 3 8 Experts and Tourism ocers 10
35 Tot a l

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the process of granting loans to applicants. e Tourism
Organization supports projects that boost the economy of local
communities and encourage people to pursue entrepreneurship and
self-employment."
4.7. Hasan Abad-E Moshir qanat
e Hasan Abad-e Moshir qanat of Mehriz ows through a
famous garden named Bagh-e Pavlanapour, which is also registered
with UNESCO. One notable aspect of the qanat course is that it feeds
Bagh-e Pavlanapour, making it the best location to appreciate the
qanat and the Garden together. If youare seeking to witness a qanat
in the garden, besure to visit the Hasanabad aqueduct.
On the second day of our visit to Yazd province, weaccompanied
a local leader to see the Hasanabad qanat. In our opinion, each qanat
has its unique characteristics. One of the interesting features of this
qanat, which weencountered during our trip to Yazd, is that it does
not have gypsum and salt layers along its route. is has resulted in
the water of Hasanabad qanat retaining its original quality without any
salts, such as calcium, sodium, and magnesium, as it is transported
to settlements.
"Accessibility to qanats is crucial for tourists, especially foreign
tourists. A trip to the qanats can bea complete, enjoyable, and
relaxing adventure, or it can easily turn into a bitter memory. e
outcome depends on the preparation before traveling to the qanat
attractions. Tourists should beaware of the dangers of traveling to
the qanats in summer and winter, befamiliar with the principles
and skills of rescue in the desert. Although tourist tours to the PQs
are licensed by the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage,
Handicras, and Tourism, sometimes entry to these areas is
dangerous for tourists. Hence tourists must have travel information,
equipment for qanat tourism, and receive the necessary training,"
explained a PQs tour guide in March 2021.
4.8. Qanat of the moon
A 1-day trip was undertaken from Tehran to Ardestan with the
intention of visiting the qanat. Upon arrival, a descent of approximately
6 m was made via stairs, leading to a tunnel where pure water owed
gently. A particularly intriguing moment occurred when
weencountered a hatch, which, upon liing, revealed another water
tunnel approximately 10 m below us. To our amazement, wefound
ourselves on the second oor of the qanat, with the other tunnel
situated beneath us. is remarkable qanat stands as the only
two-story qanat in existence, with no mixing of water between the two
tunnels. Presently, this ancient engineering marvel serves as a popular
tourist attraction, showcasing a fascinating example of ancient
engineering principles.
During the visit to this aqueduct during the summer season, it was
observed that the water from the upper qanat possessed a better,
sweeter taste and was cooler compared to the water from the lower
qanat, which was heavier and warmer during this time of year.
"A two-story qanat! In my opinion, it is the strangest qanat structure
in the world, where the water from the upper and lower qanats
moves independently, without mixing. It was the strangest water
structure Ihad ever seen. e Moon's two-story aqueduct is one of
the best examples built in the heart of the Iranian desert. Its unique
wonder, being built in the heart of the desert, was a decisive reason
for me to recommend it to my colleagues and friends," expressed a
male foreign tourist from Canada.
4.9. Mozd abad and vazvan qanats
On a winter night, 2 months ago, a decision was made to visit
the Vazvan and Mozdabad qanats in Meymeh City, Isfahan
province. Arriving in Meymeh city on a Friday morning via an
Isfahan bus, transportation was promptly arranged to visit these
qanats, which were situated in close proximity to each other. e
utilization of underground dam technology in the Vazvan and
Mozdabad qanats marked a signicant breakthrough in
engineering construction during their respective eras. e vital
role played by these qanats in the region’s economy is evident, as
the local population would face considerable challenges in
their absence.
Upon concluding the visit to these qanats, a return journey to
Tehran was made, followed by a visit to a local shop in search of a
Meymeh souvenir. It was there that an encounter took place with a
young man and his brother, leading to an exploration of other
attractions in Meymeh, spanning approximately 5 h. e Vazvan
aqueduct stands as an extraordinary and historically signicant
structure. is fact has been conrmed by cultural heritage experts
and Japanese UNESCO specialists. Notably, along a section of the
qanat, above the qanat dam, two underground cracks (known as
Kerr in the local language) are present. ese cracks serve as
channels for transferring the 40 L of water stored behind the dam
for a duration of 120 days, from the 10th of Azar to the 10th of
Farvardin in the following year, into large underground reservoirs.
Subsequently, with the opening of valves installed in the dam, the
stored water is gradually directed back into the consumption cycle
with the assistance of gravity. e Vazvan qanat dam, recognized as
Iran’s primary groundwater dam, holds signicant importance
within Isfahan province. For detailed insights about this dam, a
book authored by Sanejad and Dadras (2000) provides
comprehensive information.
A tourism psychologist armed that "e quarantine and crisis
caused by Covid-19 have certainly aected the health dimensions
of tourists who are in contact with nature. erefore, it seems that
the mental health of tourists should bestrengthened, improved,
and refreshed. Walking in the qanats and seeing beautiful
phenomena such as the qanat systems, canals, and mother walls
of qanats can undoubtedly improve the mental health of tourists.
is is what the World Tourism Organization calls the Restart
and Reopening tourism. She also stated that walking in the qanats
can have a direct and positive eect on the mental health of
tourists," shared a female tourism psychologist from Hungary
in February 2021.

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4.10. Qanat of Gowhar-Riz
During a subsequent visit to the qanat, a deep exploration was
undertaken in the company of a friend and one of the authorities,
evoking a distinct and unfamiliar sensation. e experience of being
immersed in the depths of the earth, where all light dissipates into
absolute darkness, is dicult to fathom. is profound feeling was
shared by my friend and me when our guide turned o the headlights.
Although it has been approximately 2 years since my last visit to the
qanat, the desire to relive that experience remains strong. e Gohariz
qanat holds immense signicance in the economy of Joopar and has
been a destination for renowned adventurers. When planning a trip
to Iran and Kerman, it is highly recommended to include a visit to this
qanat. As Idescended the stairs and caught sight of the faint glow from
a ashlight illuminating the crystal-clear water, a hushed silence
permeated the qanat, and our journey continued. is qanat stands as
a masterpiece, testament to human intellect and resourcefulness.
Dating back to an era when myths and legends were woven around it,
there was a belief that a white blind sh guarded the aqueduct, and
encountering it would result in death. Given its historical signicance,
economic, cultural, and social value, this aqueduct is deserving of
recognition as a world heritage site. It is noteworthy that the water of
the Goharriz qanat ows from a fault in the earth.
A PQ tourist shared, "As Iwent down the stairs, Icould see the light
of my ashlight, and the shes appeared when the light shone on the
clear water. Yes, sh, youcan see sh there. Icontinued on my way,
which is in the depths of the earth. is aqueduct reminded me that
this is a masterpiece and a sign of human intelligence and ingenuity
that has been able to lead human beings to live in the heart of
darkness. Ihad read travelogs and books written about it many
times, but seeing the aqueduct up close, Irealized that it was not
without reason that Smith introduced this aqueduct as his rst love."
e journey to the PQs presented a fascinating opportunity for
exploration, providing valuable insights. is experience proved to
behighly rewarding, and it is anticipated that readers will share the
same sentiment upon delving into this paper and embarking on their
own journey. Upon the completion of the expedition to the PQs, a
realization emerged that highlighted the constructive interaction
between humanity and nature throughout history. e Iranians’
exceptional ingenuity and innovative approaches in harnessing water
resources in an environmentally friendly manner allowed our
ancestors to coexist harmoniously with nature. eir continuous
enhancement of innovative skills enabled them to overcome the
challenges posed by nature, employing gravity-defying technologies
that shaped civilizations in their surroundings. What lessons can
begleaned from their research and development of qanat construction
techniques that may prove benecial for our future? To truly
appreciate the PQs, a personal visit is imperative. erefore, an
invitation is extended to embark on a journey to witness Iran’s PQs
rsthand. Each of these qanats possesses its own unique narrative and
oers distinct experiences, rendering it dicult to compile a
comprehensive list or provide specic names. Each one is a marvel in
its own right.
Regarding the limitations of the research, it is necessary to
mention two points. First, the lack of cooperation from tourism
ocials on several occasions disrupted and slowed down the research
process. Second, there was a lack of research background related to
qanat tourism in Iran and internationally. is means that PQs have
not been studied from a tourism perspective, which was inuential in
the research process. is emphasizes the importance of research
innovation and novelty, making this research the rst scientic study
on PQs tourism. e current study brought a fresh approach to the
exploration of tourism attractions in 11 PQs by utilizing a novel
qualitative research method known as narrative analysis. is
methodological choice distinguished the study from previous research
on qanats, which primarily focused on expert opinions. In contrast,
the present study introduced the qanat as a tourist attraction and
captured tourists’ perspectives on it. Consequently, the study was both
unique and timely, as it eectively addressed the gap in the eld of
tourism management in PQs. In summary, all stakeholders, including
researchers, have a signicant responsibility to introduce areas prone
to tourism, sometimes without any scientic research on tourism.
erefore, due to the global nature of these works, these areas should
beidentied and introduced in the global arena.
4.11. Qanat tourism model
e nal stage of analyzing travel narratives is to extract repetitive
dimensions and concepts and develop a research model, as illustrated
in Figure5. e model “e Tourism Potential of Persian Qanat Based
on Tourist’s Narratives” aims to assess the tourism potential of PQs
through the analysis of tourists’ narratives. e model consists of
seven dimensions that are considered important in evaluating the
tourism potential of PQs.
4.11.1. Access path
is criterion focuses on the accessibility and ease of reaching the
PQs. It considers factors such as transportation options, signage,
availability of maps or guides, and the condition of pathways leading
to the qanats. A well-developed and easily accessible access path
enhances the tourism potential by attracting more visitors.
4.11.2. Structure and function
is criterion examines the physical structures and functionality
of the PQs. It evaluates the preservation and maintenance of the qanat
systems, including the tunnels, wells, and water distribution
infrastructure. e ecient functioning of the qanats enhances their
appeal as tourist attractions.
4.11.3. Historical background
e historical background criterion focuses on the historical
signicance and narrative of PQs. It considers the historical context,
ancient engineering techniques, and cultural heritage associated with
the qanats. A strong historical background adds depth and cultural
value to the tourism potential of PQs.
4.11.4. Native people
is criterion explores the role and engagement of local
communities in preserving and promoting PQs. It considers the
involvement of native people in managing the qanats, sharing their
knowledge, and oering cultural experiences to visitors. e active
participation of local communities contributes to a more authentic
and immersive tourist experience.

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Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 14 frontiersin.org
4.11.5. Local culture
e local culture criterion assesses the cultural elements and
traditions related to PQs. It examines the presence of local customs,
arts, cras, music, and culinary traditions that reect the cultural
identity of the communities living around the qanats. e integration
of local culture enriches the tourism experience and fosters
cultural exchange.
4.11.6. Sense of place
is criterion evaluates the overall ambiance and atmosphere of
the PQs. It encompasses the esthetic appeal, tranquility, and unique
characteristics that create a sense of place for visitors. Factors such as
natural surroundings, architectural elements, and the overall ambiance
contribute to a memorable and immersive experience.
4.11.7. Sustainable tourism
e sustainable tourism criterion focuses on the implementation
of sustainable practices within the context of PQs. It considers eorts
to minimize environmental impact, conserve water resources,
promote responsible behavior, and support local economies. e
integration of sustainable tourism practices ensures the long-term
viability and positive impacts of tourism on the qanats and their
surrounding areas.
By assessing each criterion within the model, the tourism potential
of PQs can beevaluated based on the narratives and experiences of
tourists. is approach allows for a comprehensive understanding of
the factors that contribute to the attractiveness and sustainability of
PQs as tourism destinations.
5. Conclusion and policy implications
e PQs are a combination of natural and man-made attractions,
representing a technical innovation of ancient Iran dating back to
3,000 years ago. ese attractions can beconsidered by tourists as a
cultural experience in a destination. is study lls a gap in the eld
of qanat tourism by applying a new qualitative research method
(Narratives analyses) to review 11 qanats in six provinces in Iran.
We introduce qanats as a platform for expanding tourism in areas
where these aqueducts are located. e present study highlights that
introducing qanats can lead to the restart of tourism and strengthen
the economy of local people. e results show that qanats as a tourist
destination can contribute to the sustainable development of tourism,
the preservation of these areas, and the reopening of tourism in the
era of postmodern ecotourism.
is research rstly aims to understand the factors that make
Persian qanats attractive to foreign tourists. By analyzing tourists’
narratives, the study identied the unique characteristics, experiences,
and attractions that draw international visitors to Persian qanats.
Understanding the factors that contribute to their appeal can help in
promoting and marketing Persian qanats as tourist destinations.
Secondly, this research explores the narratives and memories of
tourists who have visited Persian qanats. By analyzing their narratives,
the study aims to uncover the emotional, sensory, and experiential
aspects of their visits. is helps to understand the subjective
perceptions, interpretations, and storytelling of tourists, providing
insights into the aspects of the qanat experience that resonate with
visitors and contribute to their overall satisfaction. irdly, this
research focused on the perspectives and insights of tour guides
regarding PQ tourism and its functions. Tour guides play a crucial role
in shaping tourists’ experiences and interpretations of the qanats. By
exploring the views and opinions of tour guides, the study can gain
valuable insights into the educational, cultural, and interpretive
aspects of PQ tourism. is knowledge can inform tourism
management strategies and enhance the quality of guided tours
(Figure5).
Finally, this research addresses the importance of collecting and
publishing travel narratives in tourism management. Travel narratives
provide rst-hand accounts and personal perspectives of visitors,
which can signicantly inuence the perception and promotion of a
destination. By analyzing and sharing these narratives, tourism
management can gain insights into tourists’ experiences, preferences,
and suggestions. is information can inform decision-making
processes, destination branding, marketing campaigns, and the
development of visitor-centered experiences. Collecting and
publishing travel narratives also contribute to destination authenticity
and cultural preservation. By documenting and sharing tourists’
experiences, local culture, heritage, and traditions associated with
Persian qanats can be preserved and promoted, ensuring the
sustainability of the destination and fostering a deeper understanding
and appreciation among visitors.
We believe that the eld of tourism in the qanat civilization will
beuseful when the importance of the aqueduct is considered along
with the increase of tourists’ awareness about the signicance of
qanats. Approaches such as empowering local people and Moghannis
in a structure of job creation, localization of tourism activities, and
preventing the drying of qanats will beuseful. e usefulness of local
people in the crystallization of increasing their welfare is the basis for
faster development of tourism in the civilization of PQs. e current
research resulted in qanat tourism, as a green industry, focusing on
qanat attractions, uniqueness, and history. As a result, tourism can
provide a means of preserving this historical and human-
made heritage.
FIGURE5
The tourism potential of Persian qanat based on the tourist’s
narratives.

Mousazadeh et al. 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1218881
Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems 15 frontiersin.org
e research also conrms that creating solo trips to these areas
can protect them from destruction and damage. erefore, attempts
should bemade to objectively explain the negative eects of mass
tourism on the environment and pristine areas through eld studies
and scientic research, as well as to strengthen postmodern
ecotourism in future studies. In future research, it is suggested that
each of the PQs registered in the UNESCO World Heritage
beexamined separately and professionally from a tourism perspective.
e method used in this research for introducing the qanats can
be used in other unknown tourist areas aecting ecotourism
(Ghorbani etal., 2023a,b,c,d).
In eld surveys, it was observed that qanat water is used for sh
ponds, agriculture, and horticulture. Future studies could develop
and discuss the role of qanats in enhancing the food security of
tourists. Examining the architecture and structure of the aqueducts
can bean interesting topic for future research. According to the
Ministry of Energy, about 41,031 aqueducts have been identied
in Iran, and future research can examine the attractions and
tourism capabilities of these aqueducts. Strategies for the
maintenance and reconstruction of PQs can also beexamined in
future research.
Since qanat sites are located in rural or developing areas, future
research can enrich the elds of tourism and ecotourism to strengthen
the economy of local people. Given the debate over qanat agriculture
and food security, future studies can focus on these issues. Although
recent studies and researchers in this study emphasize the high value
and credibility of qualitative studies in tourism research, future
research can examine the quantitative components related to qanat
tourism based on quantitative studies.
In summary, this study introduces qanats as a tourist destination
and highlights their potential in contributing to the sustainable
development of tourism, the preservation of these areas, and the
reopening of tourism in the era of postmodern ecotourism. It suggests
the importance of empowering local people and Moghannis in a
structure of job creation, localization of tourism activities, and
preventing the drying of qanats. Future research can focus on
examining the tourism capabilities of other aqueducts, managing
aqueduct water resources, and strengthening the economy of
local people.
Data availability statement
e original contributions presented in the study are included in
the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can bedirected
to the corresponding authors.
Author contributions
HM, AG, and KZ: conceptualization and writing—original dra
preparation. AG: methodology. AG and HM: soware, data curation,
and visualization. FAA, MA, and FP: validation, formal analysis, and
investigation. KZ and HM: resources. KZ, HM, and AG: writing—
review and editing. KZ and LD: supervision and funding acquisition.
HM, KZ, and LD: project administration. All authors contributed to
the article and approved the submitted version.
Acknowledgments
is research was supported by the Hungarian University of
Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Doctoral School of Economic
and Regional Sciences (MATE), Hungary.
Conflict of interest
e authors declare that the research was conducted in the
absence of any commercial or nancial relationships that could
beconstrued as a potential conict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors
and do not necessarily represent those of their aliated organizations,
or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product
that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its
manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
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