The Role of Experiential Accommodation in Promoting Domestic Tourism: Evidence from Kashan City, Iran

Domestic tourism has emerged as a critical pillar for economic resilience in Iran, particularly amid international sanctions and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper examines the role of experiential accommodation such as boutique hotels and restored traditional houses in fostering domestic tourism in Kashan City, a UNESCO-recognized historical hub. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach, including secondary data analysis from tourism statistics and qualitative insights from case studies of local accommodations, the study highlights how these experiential offerings enhance visitor engagement, cultural immersion, and loyalty among Iranian travelers. Novel contributions include a proposed framework linking experiential elements to sustainable domestic tourism growth, emphasizing post-pandemic recovery strategies. Findings reveal that experiential accommodations in Kashan have contributed to a 15-20% increase in domestic visitor stays between 2022 and 2024, based on aggregated regional data. The paper underscores the need for policy support to scale such models nationally. Implications for marketing management in tourism are discussed, with recommendations for integrating digital experiential marketing to amplify reach.