Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Islamic Azad University of Hamedan, Hamedan, Iran
2 Department of Management and Accounting, Faculty of Management and Accounting, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Qom, Iran
3 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, Islamic Azad University of Hamedan , Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction: The present study aimed at investigating and designing a model for developing sports tourism in Iran.
Methods: The research methodology applied is combined of both qualitative and quantitative ones. In the qualitative part, open interviews were done with 12 professors and experts in the field of sports who were selected based on a snowball- judgmental method. The data were collected through considering the previous studies and conducting open interviews. In the part devoted to the quantitative study, expert-qualifier and matrix questionnaires were used. In order to assess the face and content validity of the tools and hypotheses, the findings of the study were given to the participants and after they studied the text of the theories, their comments were collected and applied. Results from expert-qualifier questionnaire showed that 15 key factors affect sport tourism in Iran.
Results: Among all the factors, those of local considerations and international relations had the greatest effects on sport tourism. Based on these and the two major factors, 4 different scenarios were presented for the future of sport tourism in Iran; resilient development, the darkness of sport tourism, fragile development and ideal development. According to the ideal development which shows the best possible state for sport tourism, a very proper condition for it would be provided through overcoming international restraints and devising plans based on local and regional capacities. The darkness of sport tourism shows the worst state for it and can only come about due to foreign pressures and restrictions and lack of national efforts for advancing the conditions of sport tourism.
Conclusion: Finally, it is suggested that through identifying the best scenario, it would be possible to make necessary plans in order for the sport tourism to thrive and expand in Iran.
Keywords
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