Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Professor of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
Abstract
Tourism market has high potential to generating foreign exchange earnings and increasing employment, and attention to this industry can play a crucial role in economic development of Iran and other member countries of the MENA region. Therefore, this question is proposed that: What is the relationship between tourism and economic growth? Considering the very specific and unique circumstances of Iran and the member countries of the MENA region in terms of natural scenery, history, culture and religion, the main objective of this study is to examine the causal relationship between tourism and economic growth in member countries of the MENA during the period 1995-2012. For this purpose, The VAR method in the context of panel data and the Dumitrescu-Hurlin causality test are used that from this point of view, they are distinguishing features of this study relative to previous studies. The results of the study showed that economic-driven tourism growth hypothesis is established in the member countries of the MENA region. Thus, it is suggested that Iran and other countries member of this region provide the necessary conditions for economic growth by investing in leading industries and infrastructure development, Thereby, this country's tourism industry also is benefit.
Keywords
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