Description
This paper examines how Iranian outbound tourism to Turkey has evolved from a leisure activity into a subtle form of everyday political practice shaped by the post-revolutionary context of the Islamic Republic. Drawing on concepts of political tourism and everyday resistance, it argues that Iranian citizens’ travel choices reflect complex negotiations with state-imposed restrictions on culture, economy, and social freedom. Through an analysis of post-1979 political developments, sanctions, and socio-cultural constraints, the study identifies travel to Turkey as a space where Iranians temporarily escape domestic limitations while simultaneously expressing silent dissent. Turkey’s geographical proximity, visa-free access, and cultural familiarity transform it into a symbolic site of comparative normality an alternative modernity that challenges the ideological boundaries of the Iranian state. By reframing tourism as a political and social act, this paper contributes to broader debates on resistance, mobility, and the politics of everyday life in the Middle East.
