The illusion of water justice at the expense of tourism

Water justice, defined as water distribution based on political agendas that prioritize certain regions in the reorganization of water resources, has become a critical issue in many regions around the world. Iran's hydraulic mission exemplifies how dam construction and inter-basin water transfer primarily benefit high-water-demand sectors. Against this backdrop and drawing on available data and a review of literature, this research demonstrates that despite tourism accounting for a small portion of Iran's overall water usage, the Iranian perception of water justice undermines tourism by harming its physical components including waterscapes, historical relics, traditional crafts, and urban ecology. This research concludes that the decline of tourism exacerbates social inequality and unsustainability, necessitating a reconsideration of Iran's approach to water allocation in favour of a more sustainable and inclusive tourism sector.