US, Oct. 18 -- Iranian tourism leaders Mahsa Motahar and Shahrzad Moayeri are warning that war, sanctions, economic hardship, and international isolation are undermining women's livelihoods and reversing the opportunities tourism helped create. Sharing their concerns with eTurboNews, they describe professionals losing businesses, careers and international connections-even as women continue to teach, host travelers and adapt to survive.

Motahar, a tourism consultant and Lead International Trainer with the World Federation of Tourist Guide Associations, and Moayeri, Director of International Affairs at the Association of Iranian Travel and Tourism Agencies, remain convinced that tourism can support women's independence and serve as a powe...