There are many rural points in the geographical area of the lands that have a valuable heritage due to their long history of life. Unique heritage of rural area could be considered as a brand of tourism places. Heritages, rural identity and rural people live in it. Therefore, rural areas have many heritages values and destinations that could effect on sustainable rural tourism development in rural point and lead to survival of these areas. Accordingly, the present study aims to investigate the role of heritages in the development of sustainable rural tourism. In this regard, the methodology of the study is descriptive- analytical with the focus on the touristic heritage attractions of rural area in Iran. The initial findings indicate that the natural, cultural and historical heritages of villages are the basis for the rural tourism development. As the presence of most tourists in these destinations is due to visit of heritages in rural points. The continuation of rural tourism, in addition to increasing local people’s motivations to saving and preserving the rural heritages, provides the bases of cultural, social and economic life continuation in these areas. Because the tourists presence strengthens the bases of economic diversification, social value creation and local identity feeling among rural people. These heritages are the ring and chain of alliance and relationship of rural communities and the formation origin of common identity. Therefore, rural heritage develop cultural tourism bases in rural region and through the positive impact on economic, social- cultural and environmental dimensions of rural life, cause to sustainable rural development.

Keywords