The Potentials of Tasoa and Ashura Ceremonies in Cultural Tourism Development

Challenges of Twenty First Century have led to an urgent need to renew the spirit and satisfy spiritual needs,the effort which leads towards tourism as a cure to relieve the needs. It seems that tourism in general and cultural tourism in special can meet the needs of human. Since each region has its own culturalreligious characteristics, so this variety can attract people’s attention with other religious-cultural backgrounds. In Iran, holding ceremonies such as Tasoa and Ashura is an example of religious-cultural tradition of Muslims. This event, which has become a symbol of Shi’a religion and culture, has been performed during certain days and within public activity since long ago. The ceremony is the story of historical event in Islam and by having various ritual arrangementscan internationally be considered as a tourist attraction. Therefore, visiting the event can remain in tourists' minds as a memorable reminiscence. This paper attempts to introduce this ritual-religious ceremony as a different attraction with special style by reviewing literature and observation. The findings highlight the importance and details of Tasoa and Ashura in tourism and religious activities in Iran. The article ends with a discussion on the implications of the findings into practice. By having variety of ceremonies in these days, the event potentially can be considered as an important motivational factor for interested tourists. It seems that basically, Iran's tourism industry should provide adequate information and with a proper marketing strategy enters to the market the same as other comparable countries.

Moharram, Tasoa and Ashuraceremony, cultural-religious tourism, Iran