Cultural traditions of each country are the manifestation

of the collective pride of the inhabitants of that

specific territory and include all forms of creative

expression. These cultural traditions are the most

powerful medium that can overcome boundaries and

limitations, and can change the individual, a mindset,

or the way a society perceives itself and its surroundings.

Experiencing the arts and cultural traditions of different

nations, trying their cuisine and strolling through

their history are undoubtedly the best means of discovering

a country. And that is precisely what cultural

tourism is all about.

According to UN World Tourism Organization’s definition

of cultural tourism adopted during the 22nd

Session of the General Assembly held in Chengdu,

China (11–16 September 2017), cultural tourism is a

type of tourism activity in which the visitor’s essential

motivation is to learn, discover, experience and consume

the tangible and intangible cultural attractions/

products in a tourism destination. These attractions/

products relate to a set of distinctive material, intellectual,

spiritual and emotional features of a society

that encompass arts and architecture, historical and

cultural heritage, culinary heritage, literature, music,

creative industries and the living cultures with their

lifestyles, value systems, beliefs and traditions.

As the world’s mosaic of art forms, heritage sites,

festivals, traditions, and pilgrimages, cultural tourism

can strengthen the attractiveness and competitiveness

of regions and countries and the ECO region

boast of some of the most excellent opportunities of

such type of tourism.

This unique advantage of our region could be well

utilized to create a positive tourism dynamic between

the ECO countries to work for the sustainability and

the benefit of the local communities, promote tourism

development that encourages cultural interaction

and ensure that the benefits are shared by all the

member states.

Yet, each country has a symbol of cultural tourism

and for Iran, as the host country of ECO Cultural Institute,

Isfahan serves as this symbol due to many

reasons: it is one of the most spectacular cities of not

just the ECO region but the world; the city is globally

known for its antiquity, magnificent historical monuments

and stunning handicrafts; it has international

titles such as World Craft City and UNESCO Creative

City of handicrafts and folk arts and finally, Isfahan

has singed Sister City agreements with 13 world cities

including Lahore in Pakistan.

That is why ECI decided to dedicate a special issue

of ECO Heritage cultural quarterly to the elements of

cultural tourism in the historic city of Isfahan. This

issue, prepared in cooperation with Isfahan Municipality,

is the first in a series of publications planned to

cover the symbols of cultural tourism in other countries

of the ECO region.

I am confident that the desire to visit many cities of

the ECO region, which are symbols of cultural tourism,

exists in the hearts of all of us in the region. We

earnestly hope that the wish would come true in the

nearest future and everybody finds the opportunity

to relish the beauties of these historic cities.