Strategic Tourism Management of Tehran; Challenges and Opportunities

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Ph.D. in Cultural management and planning, Science and Reseach Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D. in Cultural management and planning, Faculty Member of Science and Reseach Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

3 Ph.D. in Architecture, Faculty Member of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization, Tehran, Iran. 4. Ph.D. in Human Geography, Faculty Member of University of Tehran, Iran.

4 Ph.D. in Human Geography, Faculty Member of University of Tehran, Iran.

5 Ph.D. in Public Administration, Faculty Member of Science and Reseach Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Problem statement: Today, tourism is one of the most important industries contributing to sustainable development. This industry has created great cultural, social, and economic opportunities for metropolises. Abundant and diverse tourist attractions of Tehran have created a great capacity for this city in terms of tourism. However, this issue has been less investigated so far. Therefore, this study attempts to examine the opportunities and limitations of tourism development in Tehran. It also presents tourism development strategies for Tehran.
Research objective: This study seeks to provide strategies for the tourism development of Tehran.
Research method: This research is descriptive-analytical. Data for this bibliographical research were collected through relevant literature, documents, and interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis based on the SWOT model. The subjects of the research were experts of tourism, managers, and experts of organizations and institutions in charge of urban tourism in Tehran. The sample was selected through purposive sampling. The sampling procedure was stopped when the theoretical saturation was achieved. A total of 35 experts were interviewed.
Conclusion: Findings of this study show that developing urban tourism in Tehran requires considering different aspects. The most important strategies and suggestions presented in this article are as follows: Strengthening the will power of people and authorities for tourism development, thinking of tourism as networks, forming an integrated destination management system, improving tourism marketing, presenting and promoting a positive image of Tehran, fostering the culture of tourist hospitability and retention, increasing event capacity, and branding Tehran in tourism.

Keywords


Almasi, H. & Dorfard, M. S. (2016). The formulation of tourism strategy using analysis SWOT matrix, case study: Tourism organization of Tehran province. Tourism and Development, 12(1), 97-122.
Azari, E. (2013). Toseʹe-ye Gardeshgari-ye Shahri ba Tekiye bar Markaz-e Shahr-e Tehran va Ruykard-e Modiriyat-e Shahri [Urban Tourism Development with an Emphasis on the Center of Tehran City and Urban Management Approach].Tehran: Tisa.
Briones-Juarez, A., Tejeida-Padilla, R. & Morales-Matamoros, O. (2009). Toward the evolution of the tourism’s conceptual system. Proceedings of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the ISSS - 2009. Brisbane, Australia.
Coban, S. (2012). The effects of the image of destination on tourist satisfaction and loyalty: The case of Cappadocia. European Journal of Social Science, 29(2), 222-232.
Gunn, C. A. & Var, T. (2002). Tourism Planning: Basics, Concepts, Cases. New York: Routledge.
Hall, P. (2002). Urban and Regional Planning (J. Tabrizi, Trans.).Tehran: Pardazesh va Barnamehrizi Publications.
Hashemi, S. S. & Mahboobfar, M. (2013). Application of SWOT - QSPM model in codifying tourism development strategy of the city of Kashan, Iran. Journal of Tourism, 1(1), 1-26.
Holden, A. (2000). Environment and Tourism. London & NY: Routledg.
Inskeep, E. (1991). Tourism Planning: An Integrated and Sustainable Development Approach. NY: Van Nostrand Reinhold (Wiley).
Jamali, H., Sajadi, J., Razavyian, M. T. & Heidari, J. (2018). Evaluation effective authors on satisfaction for tourist destinations: The case of coastal cities of Boushehr province. Urban Tourism, 5(3), 64-49.
Kaspar, C. (1975). Die Fremdenverkehrslehre im Grundriss (St. [i.e. Sankt] Galler Beitrage zum Fremdenverkehr und zur Verkehrswirtschaft : Reihe Fremdenverkehr). Stuttgart: Paul Haupt.
Leiper, N. (2004). Tourism Management (3. ed.). Melbourne: Pearson Education Australia.
Mafi, E. & Saghaei, M. (2008). Analysis of rural tourism of big cities (case study: the big city of Mashhad). Journal of Geography and Regional Development, 6(10), 21-40.
Movahed, A. (2007). Gardeshgari-ye Shahri [Urban Tourism]. Ahvaz :Shahid Chamran University.
Page, S. & Hall, C. M. (2003). Managing Urban Tourism. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.
Rogerson, C. & Visser, G. (2007). Urban Tourism in the Developing Countries: The South African Experience. New Jersey: Transaction Publishers.
Selby, M. (2004). Understanding Urban Tourism: Image, Culture and Experience. London: I.B. Tauris.
Taghvaei, M. & Akbari, M. (2009). Moghadame-i bar Barnamerizi va Modiriyat-e Shahri [An Introduction to Urban Tourism Planning and Management]. Isfahan: Payam Alavi.
The World Tourism Organization (2011). National and regional tourism planning (M. Abdollah Zadeh, Trans.). Tehran: Cultural Research Office.