This study aimed to identify and investigate the drivers of human resource development in Iran’s sports tourism industry to evaluate strategies for improving performance and increasing human resource productivity in this sector. This qualitative study employed semi-structured interviews with managers and experts in the field of sports tourism. Participants were selected through purposive sampling, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the data, and NVivo software was utilized for data categorization and analysis. The results revealed several key drivers of human resource development in Iran’s sports tourism industry, including government policy-making, administrative regulation efficiency, educational planning, human resource competencies, infrastructure, and job security. The use of modern digital technologies was also identified as an important factor in enhancing the efficiency and productivity of human resources. This study demonstrated that human resource development in Iran’s sports tourism industry requires supportive policies, the application of modern technologies, and continuous training. The findings of this research can serve as a guide for organizations and institutions involved in improving human resource management in this sector.