It would seem therefore that tourism cannot be seen in Iran as a key driver of growth for rural economies and an economic activity ap- proved by resident populations; rather, it is a supplementary source of income which assists in development while arousing strong criti- cism. Opposition and concern about tourism cannot be ignored and must be addressed if progress is to be made. While exhibiting interest in sustainable rural tourism, in common with governments world- wide, official policies for Iran's villages formulated to date have been incomplete and not properly integrated into wider plans. Re- sources are being damaged and depleted and locals excluded in a way contradictory to principles of sustainability. One of the chal- lenges for the future is to reconcile divergent viewpoints and devise effective sustainable rural tourism projects which actively involve in- habitants. However, further research is necessary to compare and contrast the experiences of Hawraman Takht with other villages. More thorough impact analyses can be conducted and interviews sought with authorities to better evaluate the dynamics of formal de- cision making. The results of such work would help cast light on rural tourism in general and the distinctive destination of Iran in particular.