The predominance of air travel therefore tells us something about the changing nature of tourism itself. Iran was no longer primarily a destination reached by adventurous travelers undertaking lengthy overland journeys. It was increasingly becoming part of the modern international tourist system.
The Role of Roads and Overland Travel
Although air travel dominated, approximately 34 percent of foreign visitors arrived by private automobile or bus. This is another revealing aspect of the report.
The large share of tourists entering Iran by road suggests that Iran was also connected to regional overland travel networks. Visitors arriving by automobile could come from neighboring countries or travel through several countries as part of a larger journey.
For some travelers, the journey itself was part of the attraction. Overland tourism offered a different experience from flying. It allowed visitors to observe landscapes, towns, borders, roads, and rural areas along the way. A tourist arriving by automobile from Europe or a neighboring country could experience a succession of cultural and geographical environments before reaching Iran.
The significant proportion of road travelers also demonstrates the importance of infrastructure. Tourism does not depend only on attractions. Roads, border crossings, fuel stations, buses, automobiles, hotels, restaurants, and communication systems all contribute to the ability of visitors to move through a country.
