Women Empowering Iran’s Tourism Sector Amid Sanctions and Geopolitical Tensions, Here’s All You Need to Know

Published on December 19, 2025

In spite of political isolation, sanctions, and limited freedom of movement, women of Iran are showing great leadership qualities in the country’s tourist sector. In spite of a tough environment that hindered growth, which was further fueled by geopolitical tensions and sanctions, women are showing great qualities in ensuring that this sector grows as a way of preserving it when all other factors seem to go against its sustainability.

Women in Iran’s Tourism Industry: Navigating Political Constraints

Iran’s tourism sector faces numerous challenges, not the least of which are the external pressures of international sanctions and the internal limitations imposed by religious and political authority. Women working in tourism in Iran are often navigating a maze of restrictions, where many need male permission to travel, complete official paperwork, or even engage in certain professional activities. Yet, despite these challenges, women in tourism have found ways to lead, manage, and innovate, even in an environment where traditional gender roles limit opportunities.

The research revealed that women are making significant strides by running guesthouses, managing hotels, leading tours, selling handicrafts online, and offering training programs for others entering the sector. This sector has offered women in Iran one of the few avenues to earn income, exercise leadership, and gain public visibility, even within the constraints of the political and cultural environment.

Despite the pressure and risk, many women have adapted their work to gain social acceptance, framing their activities as acts of cultural preservation or caregiving. Others have built informal networks, mentoring younger women or expanding their businesses online to circumvent the barriers imposed by traditional authorities.

Tourism as a Political Space: Pushing Boundaries

Professor Albert Kimbu, co-author of the study and Professor of Tourism Management at the University of Surrey, notes that tourism in Iran is not neutral—it is deeply political. Every time a woman runs a hotel, leads a tour, or sells goods online, she is challenging a system that was never designed for her to succeed. These women are transforming the societal fabric in small, everyday ways, demonstrating the transformative power of local leadership within the tourism industry.

For the women interviewed in the study, tourism has become an arena where they must constantly negotiate their roles. Some navigate the system by complying when necessary, others negotiate when possible, and some resist where it’s safe to do so. These quiet acts of resistance and leadership are helping shift societal perceptions and contribute to broader social changes in Iran, albeit in subtle ways.

External Pressures on Iran’s Tourism: Geopolitics and Economic Sanctions

The research highlights the challenges Iran’s tourism sector faces in the broader geopolitical context. Sanctions, travel restrictions, and diplomatic isolation have severely limited the flow of international visitors to Iran, making it more difficult for businesses to attract tourists. Many major international tour operators and airlines have cut ties with Iran due to these restrictions, which has forced smaller tourism businesses—especially those led by women—to find alternative means of maintaining connections with international tourists and partners.

Despite these challenges, women-led businesses continue to hold the tourism sector together. They are involved in “tourism damage control,” ensuring that high service standards are maintained, training staff, managing communications, and keeping international relationships alive. These efforts are crucial for maintaining the flow of niche tourism, which remains a lifeline for the country’s tourism industry.

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): The Backbone of Iranian Tourism

One key aspect of the study’s findings is the growing importance of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Iranian tourism sector. With large, state-run tourism organizations often unable to operate due to international restrictions, SME networks have become essential for sustaining the industry. These networks, many of which are led by women, operate through peer relationships, professional trust, and digital platforms, rather than relying on traditional diplomatic or state channels.

These SME networks allow Iranian tourism professionals to stay connected with global tourism standards, sustainability practices, and digital tools. They also provide opportunities for professional exchange, helping Iranian businesses remain competitive despite international isolation. By leveraging digital tools and online platforms, women in the Iranian tourism industry can stay in touch with global trends, which is vital for their continued success.

Global Connectivity and Local Resilience: How Women Keep Tourism Alive

Women in Iran’s tourism industry are also playing a significant role in explaining the country’s cultural realities to international audiences. They help reassure travelers and foreign partners that Iran remains a welcoming destination, despite the geopolitical challenges. Their leadership is essential for maintaining the image of Iran as a safe and culturally rich destination, separate from political tensions.

These women also use informal diplomatic channels to maintain international tourism relationships, providing a level of resilience that larger organizations or state bodies cannot. Through networks, mentoring, and digital collaboration, women in tourism are keeping the spirit of global travel alive in Iran, ensuring that international travelers continue to visit, despite external and internal barriers.

Policy Lessons for Sustainable Tourism Amid Sanctions

The study offers important lessons for tourism ministries, development agencies, and international organizations looking to sustain tourism in geopolitically isolated regions. It highlights the importance of supporting peer-to-peer tourism networks, digital skills training, and financial access for local businesses. These initiatives help maintain service quality, preserve human capital, and ensure that leadership pathways for women continue to thrive.

In politically isolated regions like Iran, where tourism faces multiple challenges, supporting small and medium-sized tourism enterprises is not just important—it’s essential for the survival of the sector. As Professor Kimbu concludes, “Tourism policy alone will not bring equality. Change only sticks when women are supported on the ground with skills, networks, and financial routes they can actually use.”

Iranian Women Transforming the Tourism Industry

As the travel industry globally continues to change, it is being proven that with women leading Iran, change can definitely be brought about even in the most adverse conditions. Despite being constrained socially and politically, Iranian women are managing to keep the tourism industry alive through innovation and networking to cope with a fast-changing world. Iranian women are not only sustaining the tourism industry of Iran but are also bringing about change socially, allowing Iranian women to break societal barriers of gender and bringing about a change in the tourism industry with greater inclusion and diversity.