Developing a Cultural Tourism Scenario in Iran

• Published in: International journal of tourism, culture and spirituality Vol. 6; no. 2; pp. 57 - 75
• Main Authors: Faeze Sadat Mirfakhradini, Mehdi Karoubi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Science and Culture 01.12.2023
• Subjects: cultural tourism; fuzzy cognitive map (fcm); scenario; spiritual tourism; tourism development
• ISSN: 2783-3844
• DOI: 10.22133/ijtcs.2024.430863.1154

This research aims to identify the factors that influence the growth of cultural tourism in Iran and propose a corresponding model. Following the identification of these factors, a scenario is written to optimize their utilization. The research employs a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to achieve its objectives and finalize the factors. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with experts in the field. In the second phase, after the formal validity of the factors is confirmed, their fuzzy cognitive mapping and scenario are designed using the FCMapper and Pajek software programs. As the results show, the factor of “creating investment opportunities and attracting financial resources in the field of cultural tourism” is the most influential, while the factor of “providing diverse and creative services in Iran’s cultural tourism” is the most impressionable for the development of cultural tourism in Iran. In the task of scenario writing, it has been discovered that, by focusing on attracting financial resources, managers can enhance the infrastructure, create a context for interaction with other countries, identify new target markets, and offer creative services to Iranian cultural tourists through diverse tours. The findings can help stakeholders, managers, and policymakers in Iran’s tourism industry design and develop plans and strategies for the growth of Iran’s cultural tourism