Tourism In Iran Research Articles

Diversity in the Traditional Musical Kurdish Themes and the Tourist Attraction

Abstract. The present study has tried to associate the themes of Kurdish music with tourist attraction activities. On the other hand, it has tried to pave the way to attract cultural tourists to Kurdistan through theme diversity and inspiration by natural ecological phenomena and also to attract those tourists with different tastes who are interested in local and traditional music. To achieve the above goals, different methods have been used including interviewing with celebrities, using existing resources such as audio versions of the traditional Kurdish music in the form of DVDs, CDs and also its video versions. Kurdish language is one of the most original languages in Iran that over the time has maintained its identity despite foreigners' onslaught and has not been subjected to too many changes. Many experts have expressed that the traditional Kurdish music is one of the richest traditional Iranian music. Using different themes, inspiring by ecological and natural phenomena and also social and cultur-al themes are some of the characteristics of the Kurdish music.Taking advantages of the available potentials in each region promotes the Iranian tourism identity all around the world. Using traditional Kurdish music along with the other attractions in the Kurdistan region improves the internal or domestic tourism. In addition to increasing the internal trips, it establishes friendship among people all around the country (Iran).

A Research on Iranian Tourism Resources and Culture

A Research on Iranian Tourism Resources and Culture

Le dinamiche spaziali ed economiche del turismo religioso in Iran

Iran is a country rich in natural resources and major infrastructure predominantly Shiite religious, which attracts many pilgrims, Iranians and foreigners. This contribution beyond describing the phenomenon of tourism-religious in this country, analyzes its effects localized mainly in the city of Mashhad. In this urban area, however, the religious phenomenon is mixed with the tourist so that the current size of the city is due to the very pilgrimage of the devout Shiites. The explosion of religious tourism in Iran is derived from both the spread throughout Middle East due to the presence of Shia religion in those lands of the Iranian people who, having undergone various diasporas, had to migrate to neighboring lands, both by the increased role of religion in social and economic dynamics. In this context, religious viewpoint, the mosque has increased its social role, becoming more and more the center of reference for both civil and religious. The centrality of religion in the life style and the links with the land of birth for migrants expanded the functions of the city of Mashhad that, bordering by Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, has become the headquarters of the most important Shiite mosque, the pole of the Shiite pilgrimage for all citizens of these areas and most important urban center in the region. The contribution will analyze the phenomenon of tourism in relation to urban expansion taking as a model the functionalist analysis.

Meta-analysis on Rural Tourism Studies in Iran: A Q-Methodology Research

Purpose: This study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding about strategies and guidelines of rural tourism planning and management in Iran, then with the help of experts and their participation identify and classify the different perspectives in Iran rural tourism to finally putting forward a step beyond the current impressions and perceptions. Methodology: In the past few decades, rural tourism has been developed as one of the most prominent industries for diversification and reconstructing rural economy and hence stimulated the attention of scholars and rural development planners. In Iran, from the early years of the twenty-first century rural tourism phenomenon has been entered in scientific/academic literature, especially in Geographical studies. However, until now it has not been considered as a strategy for rural economic development at administrative and executive levels of rural development. This research was conducted on the development of Q-methodology. First, based on the previous research findings on rural tourism in Iran and the analysis of the available discursive atmosphere, it provides a comprehensive understanding about strategies and guidelines of rural tourism planning and management, and then, drawing on the contribution of experts, different perspectives were identified and classified. Finding: Research findings, based on Q factor analysis represent three perspectives in planning and managing of rural tourism development in Iran.The first viewpoint is Institutionalism, holistic, integrated approach, participation-oriented, and community – based, and has a high emphasis on planning of rural tourism development. The second viewpoint is environmentalist-conservationist and integrated-approach, and greater emphasis on the management of various aspects of rural tourism. The third viewpoint is participation-oriented, Supportive- facilitative, conservationist, also places emphasis on the land use planning, and managing rural tourism with respect to rural land conservation against inappropriate changes. Research limitation: Attracting the actual participation of Iranian specialists to participate in Q- methodology is time consuming and difficult. Original/value: After, more than a decade of experience of rural tourism studies in Iranian academic literature, the present research helps to explore thinking patterns in the field of rural tourism planning and management in Iran. Accordingly, we can provide a framework to support an integrated approach of rural tourism development.

The role of mass communication methods in the development of tourism industry in Iran

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of new methods of mass communication (employing customer relationship management (CRM) software and web site) in the development of tourism industry in Iran. Design/methodology/approach – Data were collected from managers and experts of companies involving in tourism field in Iran through survey questionnaire. The SPSS 17 and LISREL 8 statistical programs were used for the data analysis. Findings – The results reveal that using CRM application is significantly correlated with the development of tourism industry. In addition, the findings indicated that using web site has a positive and significant relationship with the development of tourism. Research limitations/implications – As this study is limited to Iran and given cultural differences among various nations cautions should be taken in generalizability of the obtained results. Also, to better clarify the role of mass communication methods, it is recommended similar study in other countries to be carry out in order to be able to compare the results. Originality/value – To the best of knowledge of the authors this is the first endeavor toward the survey of the relationship and the effects of CRM application and internet advertisement on the development of tourism in the context of Iran. Also, the results obtained could act as a good guidance for Iranian tourism policy makers to make more effective decisions.

Strategies to Attract International Tourists in Iran

The main purpose of this study is evaluation of strategies to attract international tourists in Iran. The population of this study are sales managers and general manager of airline companies in Tehran. Agency are in Tehran with B degree (active tourism). 15 agencies in inbound tourism and 20 agencies have been working in the output field of tourism. The population of the study consisted of 140 people. We determined the amount of the sample size with the used of Cochran sampling method which the statistical sample is 104 person which have been selected through the simple random sampling method. To gathering of data, we used questionnaire with 22 items. In order to analyze the data resulted from collected questionnaires deductive and descriptive statistical methods are used, and to display some statistical data we used column diagram and in deductive level to designing the model used factor analysis and also, test the hypothesis of the research we used One-Sample T Test and to ranking entropy method. The K-S Test to test distribution of Normality Findings show that Security, Publicity, Laws and Regulations and Tourism infrastructure has impact on the strategies to attract tourism in Iran. Also, the results of entropy method the security with 87%, the rules and regulations with 84%, publicity with 70% and finally tourism infrastructure with 69% were extracted as important factors in attracting foreign tourists in Iran.

Strategic management of medical tourism in Iran based on SWOT model

Medicine and related services worldwide, branches of tourism as medical tourism, have created. Every year, thousands of tourists have access to modern medical services, and of course reasonably priced way to Iran, the more they attract and develop medical tourism, a comprehensive review is necessary. This study, based on an analytical method - a description, and utilization of available resources in the field of tourism management, tourism, and its role in the development of medical tourism in the country, as well as a comprehensive analysis SWOT, and enjoying open questionnaire was used to determine the basic strategies for the management and development of medical tourism in the country. The results of the analysis of the potential and limitations, it suggests that the benefit of proper infrastructure and the fields of health and medicine, and medical and hospital environments, and human capital of the country, benefiting from a weighted score of 0.64, in the first place strengths inappropriate accommodation and welfare facilities, with a weighted score of 0.48 in the first position of weakness, the incentive to travel to Iran for treatment among tourists, with a weighted score of 0.56, the highest rating have weight, and at the first available opportunity, and the continued Weakness adequate facilities to attract medical tourists, with a weighted score of 0.52, in the first place is under threat. The most important strategies that can be employed in this field, namely, infrastructure services, recreational facilities, health care centers and tourist sites, optimum use of the potential therapeutic, medical and human resources of the country, and efforts to strengthen absorption for the treatment of Iran stated

Investigating the effective factors on customer loyalty on tourism Agencies using an e-marketing technique: A case study of Iranian tourism agencies

Article history: Received June 28, 2013 Received in revised format 18 October 2013 Accepted 28 October 2013 Available online December 15 2013 The aim of this research is to determine and to assess the effective factors on customer loyalty, concerning the internet-purchase of products and services of Tehran tourism agencies. For this purpose, the standardized questionnaire was distributed among on-line internet customers of Tehran tourism agencies and finally 384 questionnaires were applied in analyzing the research hypotheses. The data obtained from customers were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis technique and the structural equations modeling (SEM). The findings of the research with regard to the proposed model and its nine hypotheses from the highest to lowest route coefficients and hypothesis confirmation are respectively: the effect of customer loyalty with the route coefficient of 0.559; the effect of search capability with the route coefficient of 0.481; the effect of satisfaction on customer trust with the route coefficient of 0.388; the effect of transaction cost on customer satisfaction with the route coefficient of 0.321; the effect of search capability on customer trust with the route coefficient of 0.292; the effect of trust on customer loyalty with the route coefficient of 0.184; the effect of the perceived security on customer satisfaction with the route coefficient of 0.159. The above seven hypotheses have been confirmed and the effect perceived security effect on customer trust and the effect of transaction cost on customer trust with the route coefficient of 0.018 were finally rejected.

The untapped potential of sustainable domestic tourism in Iran

The majority of tourism literature focuses on international tourism; however, domestic tourism for specific destinations, such as Iran, can contribute to job creation, heritage protection, regional integration, and cross-cultural understanding. The market for domestic tourism in Iran has been downplayed and its true value has been underutilized. This study assumes that the present apathy towards tourism is reinforced by the public sector's lack of decisive governance towards the tourism industry where the public sector “can best act to mediate contemporary tourism-related social, economic, political and environmental policy problems” (Hall, 2011, p. 439). Drawing on “culture-ideology of consumerism” and “ecological economics” theories, study revealed that critiques of international mass tourism have convincing argument that domestic tourism is a domestic investment with a sustainable agenda.

An empirical study to find important factors on building national brand: An Iranian tourism case study

Article history: Received May 20, 2012 Received in Revised form July, 29, 2012 Accepted 15 August 2012 Available online 21 August 2012 Building national brand plays an important role on today's economy to attract interested tourists in visiting various countries. There are different factors impacting national brand such as advertisement, natural attraction, etc. In this paper, we perform an empirical investigation to find the impact of ten most important factors on building brand. The study designs and distributes a questionnaire among 384 international tourists who visited Iran during the year of 2010 and it uses factor analysis to group important factors. The results extract four groups; the first factor includes three most important components including satellite advertisement programs, public awareness on economical power and public awareness on specialized symposium and conferences. The second factor includes three other important factors, which are public awareness on human right, advertisement programs through distribution brushers and internet advertisement. The third factor includes two variables, which are public awareness on education and access to educational services and introducing cultural heritage. Finally, the last factor includes introducing natural attraction and advertisement programs through distribution brushers. © 2012 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Fatal accident distribution by age, gender and head injury, and death probability at accident scene in Mashhad, Iran, 2006–2009

Several studies have investigated road traffic deaths, but few have compared by road user type. Iran, with an estimated 44 road traffic deaths per 100,000 population in 2002 had higher road traffic deaths than any other country for which reliable estimates can be made. So, the present study was conducted on road death data and identified fatal accident distribution by age, gender and head injury as well as the influences of age and gender on deaths at accident scenes for all road user groups. Data used in this study are on fatal road accidents recorded by forensic medicine experts of the Khorasan Razavi province in Mashhad, the capital of the province, the second largest city and the largest place of pilgrimage, immigration and tourism in Iran. Chi-square test and odds ratio were used to identify the relation of death place with age and gender in 2495 fatal road accidents from 2006 to 2009. The t-test and analysis of variance were employed for continues variable, age, to compare males’ and females’ mean age for all road user categories. For two genders, all three groups of fatalities (pedestrian, motorcyclist and motor vehicle occupant) had a peak at the ages of 21–30. The youngest were male motorcyclists (mean age = 28). Old pedestrians were included in road deaths very much, too. Male/female overall ratio was 3.41 and the highest male/female ratio was related to motorcyclists (14). The overall ratio of head injury to other organ injuries (torso and underbody) was 2.51 and pedestrians had the largest amount of head injury (38.2%). Regarding death at accident scene, for all road users, gender did not have any significant relation with death at the scene (P-value > 0.1); on the contrary, age had significant relation (P-value < 0.05). Females were more vulnerable at accident scenes (male/female ratio at accident sense < 1). Pedestrians aged 21–30, motorcyclists 41–50 and motor vehicle occupants 31–40 died the most at accident scenes. Identifying the most endangered groups of road accident fatalities, which was conducted in this study, is invaluable for the appropriate design of prevention strategies and allocation of financial resources for each group of road user fatalities – since in developing nations, there are insufficient financial resources to traffic safety and we should consider superiorities, i.e. the most risky groups. Steps which may contribute to safety promotion for local conditions include suitable facilities for old pedestrians, a training course before obtaining motorcycle license for motorcyclists, informing young road users by provincial media about death risk of road users and improving management of the head-injured patients. Finally, suggestions for future researches were made.

Sustainable rural tourism in Iran: A perspective from Hawraman Village

This paper discusses issues of sustainability and rural tourism within the context of Iran. Using a qualitative research approach, it investigates the experiences of one particular village which is already popular with visitors and has featured in official tourism development plans. The focus is on the reactions of residents and their perceptions of tourism impacts and formal policies. Findings indicate that villagers are concerned about the use of local natural and cultural resources for tourism purposes, recognising negative consequences which seem to them to outweigh positive effects. Participation has been very limited in government rural tourism initiatives which are felt to yield few benefits for village inhabitants. Current policies thus appear ineffective and reforms are necessary if the potential for sustainable rural tourism, embracing community engagement, is to be realised.

English

Iran tourism industry, despite the variety and quality of its products, its potential in meeting the different expectations and wills of tourists and finally its high capacity for concurrence with the best tourism destinations in the world; is not on its real position from tourist numbers and receipts point of view. The present paper aimed at studying the process of information provision and dissemination in Iran tourism industry in both national and international levels, as one of the main reasons behind the failure of Iran tourism in achieving a steady pattern of well-known and developed tourism destination. This was the first attempt to study the double dimensions of information provision and dissemination in Iran tourism industry within a systematic and professional structure. The method that the research enjoyed was based on library as well as, survey (descriptive and analytical statistics). The main finding of the study showed that there was a meaningful difference between the current situation of information provision and dissemination in Iran tourism industry and the optimal standard at the moment. Based on the findings and the research literature, the structure of an efficient information provision and dissemination system along with its implementation strategies were devised and put forward to bridge the existing gap. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Information provision and dissemination, tourists information centers, Iran tourism houses, tourism data banks.

Web Site Evaluation of Iranian Tourism and Hospitality Organizations: An E-Commerce Web Site Features Model

Iran possesses a rich range of natural, cultural, and manmade tourism resources, much of which is unique in the world. Tourism is the fastest growing industry around the world and holds the highest share of countries' GDPs compared to other industries; this presents a unique opportunity for Iran. This research focuses on evaluating the current status of Iranian tourist organization Web sites in order to study their adoption of e-commerce applications. A Web site evaluation model is used to study 207 sites to reveal the status of the tourist organizations and to find out their reasons for having a Web presence. Iran tourism's competitive advantages and weaknesses are also studied. Based on this, the weak points and missed potential of the Web sites are extracted to help managers enhance their e-commerce activities in Iran's tourism industry.

Medical tourism in Iran: Issues and challenges

Introduction:Medical tourism is rapidly becoming a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry. Iran has a high potential for this industry. The purpose of this study was to examine the medical tourism cluster, using Diamond Analysis tool.Materials and Methods:This study is a descriptive, analytical and qualitative one. Thirty professionals and researchers in this field were interviewed and official documents belonging to the Health ministry as well as tourism organization and finally related literature were examined. The data was analyzed using content analysis method.Results:Positive and negative parts of the medical tourism industry of Iran were determined according to diamond of advantage.Conclusion:The strategic issues were identified and a number of possible solutions for addressing them were recommended. More and effective public-private participations, aggressive marketing, improving infrastructures, and international accreditation of health care facilities and human resources development could improve medical tourism industry in the country.

The relationship between Islamic religiosity and residents’ perceptions of socio-cultural impacts of tourism in Iran: Case studies of Sare’in and Masooleh

Religion is known to influence people’s perception and behaviour. This study explores the influence of Islamic religiosity (measured on dimensions of ‘Islamic Belief’, ‘Islamic Practice’, and ‘Islamic Piety’) on the perceived socio-cultural impacts of tourism among residents in two tourist areas in Iran. The results showed that respondents both possessed a high level of Islamic Belief and perceived socio-cultural impacts of tourism positively. The propositions which stated that ‘Islamic Belief’ and ‘Islamic Practice’ have negative relationships with the perceptions of socio-cultural impacts of tourism are not supported. However levels of ‘Islamic Piety’ had statistically significant variations relating to potential changes in infrastructure, life quality and cultural practices that may be due to tourism. This paper also discusses the implications of its findings.

Importance analysis of travel attributes using a rough set‐based neural network

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to contribute to the tourism management literature by: first, developing a hybrid neural network that will be able to predict tourists' overall satisfaction of their travel experience; and second, prioritizing the travel attributes based on their proportional impact on tourists' overall satisfaction of their travel experience in Iran.Design/methodology/approachA total of 1,870 questionnaires were distributed amongst foreign tourists in the departure lounge of “Imam Khomeini International Airport” over a period of three months. The data were used to develop a hybrid neural network in which the “rough set” is used to reduce travel attributes and the neural network to predict tourists' overall satisfaction of travel experience. After the model proved its predictive accuracy, using the sensitivity analysis of the neural network travel attributes were prioritized based on their impact on tourists' overall satisfaction.FindingsThe results were quite promising in that the proposed hybrid neural network was able to predict tourists' overall satisfaction with a relatively low amount of error (RMSE=0.05246). Furthermore, it was demonstrated that rough sets theory is capable to be applied effectively to feature selection of large datasets in the tourism context. Finally, it was found that “improving tourism infrastructures of the country” in addition to “globally promoting the image of Iran” (as a secure and pleasant destination) are of the highest priority for Iran's tourism industry to reach to its full potential.Originality/valueBesides developing a data mining tool which is an efficient means for predicting tourists' overall satisfaction, the paper's findings provide precious information for tourism policy makers in Iran by prioritizing those travel attributes that have the greatest impact on foreign tourists' overall satisfaction of their travel experience.

Effective Factors in Green Supply Chain Management and Natural Environment Developed in Iran Tourism Industry:The Case of Small and Medium Tour Operators

Tourism for all citizens of the world and the vital is to provide sustainable employment. In this regard, most attention of governments and their management resources to the tourism and pristine natural environment or green has been focused on other aspects of the industry, although also Country managers see gone away, but to protect and maintain environmental capacity most important challenges the countries in this field covers. Although the structure of the tourism sector crumbled a key challenge in order to reach a consensus on coherent development theory sustainability left is involved. But evidence from theoretical studies indicate that supply chain strategies as a logical time for nature online tourism industry in all its dimensions seem appropriate, limited debate in tourism research related to the acceptance there. Present paper advance knowledge of how sustainable tourism can be more public acceptance in practice of supply chain management in the tourism environment (ESCMT) by medium and small brokers in small and medium-sized tour operating in Iran deals. The results show that in the absence of regulatory pressures and cost savings, acceptance (ESCMT) in small and medium tourist enterprises will be very effective. Result of research for government executives and managers tourism agencies appropriate guidelines to be drawn.

Medical Tourism in Iran: Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges with MADM Approach

Medical Tourism in Iran: Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges with MADM Approach

Study of Tourists' Rights in Iran with Emphasis on Urban Tourist Rights

Problem statement: Achieving stability in a tourism system which incl udes tourism supply and demand needs wise legal supports in urban touri sm industry. In case of presence of proportional legal supports, urban tourism system can help preve nt from confusion in city system as an effective means for balanced and sustainable development of t he city. Approach: This article aimed at recognition, study and evaluation of urban tourism indexs and legal supports for tourists in Iran. Results: In Juridical book, a right of non-Muslims, in one w ay, has been classified into three groups: Zemmi, Moahed and Mostaman. In Iran, for different reasons such as regional unity and tourism treaties, the idea of granting more liberties to th em has developed. Conclusion: These ignoring variables, do pose Iran's tourism industry rules an d regulations in an appropriate position and this h as caused our country, which is among the highly potential tourism countries for competition in the international arena, gains little income from this economic activity.