Historical Tourism in Silk Road Belt: Economic Benefits and Cultural Solidarity Javad Abbasi Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran / The Ohio State University, USA Abstract: The Silk Road represented a form of global economy and culture for over 2000 years. When in September 7 2013 President Xi Jin-ping in his speech in Kazakhestan titled “Promote People to People Friendship and Create a Better Future” pointed out that this long history includes mutual benefits, tolerance and cooperation, it reminded me the importance of Silk Road’s culture and historical heritage not only as a source of friendship and coalition but also as a significant potential resource for economic improvement throughout the region from China to the West Asia and Mediterranean sea. In this regard present article focuses on the importance of historical heritage of Silk Road in creating a new area of economic benefits which at the same time is one of the best ways of cultural solidarity and friendship. In other words investing on Tourism, based on historical-cultural heritages (sites, museums, monuments …) could be one of the most accessible sources of economic benefits and improvement. The paper also talks about the essential infrastructures for this economic-cultural investment including development and expansion of security, roads, railroads, archeological and constructional activities, hotels and other related issues in member countries. Consequently this area (Tourism) would be a source of job, income and prosperity for millions of people throughout the Asia and at the same time improves friendship between them and also people from around the world who do not have enough knowledge about most of residents of Silk Road.

Keywords