Manijeh Haghighinasab; Azam Mir Soleimani; Payvand MirzaeianKhamseh
Abstract
Introduction
In the modern world, a brand is a robust tool for differentiation, which is an important marketing strategy (Beritelli & Laesser, 2018). Statistics show that Iran has not yet been able to acquire a fair share of national income despite having great potential. In the Development Vision ...
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Introduction
In the modern world, a brand is a robust tool for differentiation, which is an important marketing strategy (Beritelli & Laesser, 2018). Statistics show that Iran has not yet been able to acquire a fair share of national income despite having great potential. In the Development Vision Document, Iran is ranked 89th in the world and 12th among the regional countries and is still far from its tourism goals (Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Reports, 2019). Thus, concerning the economic, social, and cultural conditions of Iran and its tourism potentialities, it is necessary to address the topic in order to enhance social employment, raise currency circulation, develop transportation, help with the realization of the development vision goals, and attract domestic and foreign investors. It can also pave the way for increasing international interactions and exchanges, helping Iran to become more influential in branding of other products and services—regarding the brand effect of the producer city—and to attain sustainable development. Therefore, the main question of the current research is as follows: What is the model of brand promotion for Fars Province as a tourist destination?
Materials and Methods
The methodology of the current research generally follows the onion model. The primary purpose of this study was to design and validate a model of brand promotion for Fars Province as a tourist destination. The research is characterized by the philosophical foundation of pragmatism, fundamental–applied orientation, and exploratory sequential mixed methods design. Concerning the qualitative aspect, the study used theoretical sampling, in-depth interviews, and the grounded theory approach. Concerning the quantitative aspect, the research employed the stratified random sampling method as well as the structural equations modeling using LISREL 8.8. Software. Based on the grounded theory approach, the in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 practitioners of the tourism industry. The collected data was then analyzed through the MAXQDA Software. Having identified 222 initial concepts under six main categories and 113 subcategories, the study went on to design the final paradigm model. In the quantitative phase of the study, 359 questionnaires extracted from the paradigm model were administered among the practitioners in order to validate the model. The results were tested by the structural equation modeling method using LISREL 8.8. Software.
Results and Discussion
Branding is recognized as a strategic approach to using tourism potentialities and promoting a tourist destination so that it can bring about the advantage of sustainable development. Using a mixed methods approach, this article intended to design and validate a brand promotion model for Fars Province as a tourist destination. Having confirmed the first hypothesis, the results showed the brand promotion for Fars Province is influenced by the causal factors, including the tourism potentialities in the province, the need for creating a sustainable competitive advantage for the province, and efforts made for enhancing the economic growth. The second hypothesis confirmed that the contextual factors (i.e., the available resources and facilities, social and cultural conditions, institutional and administrative security, and structures) have an impact on the formulation of an inclusive strategic tourism plan by the tourism practitioners. To explain the third hypothesis and draw conclusions, the study revealed that the brand promotion for Fars province, including awareness of the tourist destination brand and brand equity of Fars Province, significantly affects the strategy adopted by the tourism practitioners in formulating an inclusive strategic tourism plan. Hence, tourism administrators should focus on macro tourism policies and the potentialities and resources of Fars Province in order to determine the relevant tourism goals and select the target tourism market at the provincial level. The confirmation of the fourth hypothesis shows that the intervening factors (regional, global, political, economic, and infrastructural conditions, as well as managerial weaknesses) positively affect the adoption of strategies which promote tourist destination brands. Finally, the fifth hypothesis illuminates that any strategy for formulating an inclusive strategic tourism plan positively affects the consequences of its application (i.e., sustainable development). Thus, in addition to policymakers, the issue requires the consideration of tourism practitioners in the private sector, such as travel agencies, hoteliers, and educational centers. The activities and steps which can be influential in applying the inclusive strategic tourism plan are the alignment of tourism practitioners’ activities in the private sector with the national inclusive and strategic plan, identification of the target market and presentation of services commensurate with this market, and active participation in the local society to motivate and empower its residents.
fariba vahidzadegan; Ali Zangiabadi
Abstract
Abstract Introduction In the face of the increasing competitiveness of the tourism industry, destination tourism brand emerges as an important asset determining tourism destination identity. Attention to the urban landscape and planning is one of the most important factors that can greatly impact the ...
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Abstract Introduction In the face of the increasing competitiveness of the tourism industry, destination tourism brand emerges as an important asset determining tourism destination identity. Attention to the urban landscape and planning is one of the most important factors that can greatly impact the urban brand. Urban landscape initially attracted the attention of the tourists. In a competitive environment, cities try to gain more market share, outstanding talent, and global attention. The main resources and attractions that are the key motivators for traveling and visiting a destination are divided into eight categories: 1- Environmental attractions (natural and human-made landscapes) 2- Culture and history 3- souvenirs and handicrafts 4-customs 5-celebrities 6-food 7- festivities and events 8-Tourism infrastructures. Apart from their role in shaping the form of the city, good and prominent urban landscapes serve as a tool for governments to increase their ability to attract tourists and global investments. Cities with a favorable visual environment can enhance their mental image and strengthen civic pride by expanding the audience's aesthetic experience. In such a competitive environment, paying attention to the urban brand is more important than ever. Urban and tourism managers have realized that to promote tourism, they must pay attention to various aspects of urban branding. The urban landscape is one of the factors that greatly impact the urban brand and its development and progress. This study investigates the role of the Isfahan urban landscape in the tourism brand of this city. This study investigates the role of Isfahan urban landscape in the tourism brand of the city. The main purpose of this study was to Explain the Interaction of Tourism brand equity and Urban Landscape from the Perspective of Foreign Tourists and prioritize the factors affecting the Isfahan tourism brand equity. Data and Method With a rich historical, cultural, artistic, natural background, Isfahan city is one of Iran's most important tourist destinations. The present study is applied research in terms of purpose and descriptive-analytic and survey concerning the method. The statistical population of the survey includes all foreign tourists who visited the city of Isfahan in 2019. The study sample based on Cochran's formula is 383 foreign tourists. In this research, by using the brand equity model, we validate the Isfahan tourism brand by emphasizing the city perspective from the view of foreign tourists. The data collection method is a questionnaire, and that of data analysis is by using Amos 23 software; In order to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire, Gronbach's alpha was used, which is 0.89 for this questionnaire and indicates the acceptable reliability of the questionnaire. The method of factor analysis is confirmatory. Results Brand image is the closest step to brand formation. A brand image is a perception of the brand reflected in the customer's mind by brand associates. A brand image does not have to be an objective image. The study results indicate that Isfahan's brand image has the most role in Isfahan's tourism brand equity. Also, historical attractions, cultural attractions, and handicrafts sequentially show the Isfahan branding image from the perspective of foreign tourists. Conclusions The image of Isfahan tourist destination in foreign tourists' view is an image of a historical tourist destination. Historical landscape, natural landscape, and handicrafts in the case of Isfahan are considered competitive advantages; Especially the first one is a distinctive and unique feature of Isfahan compared to competing destinations. Improving and increasing the quality of the landscape affects the urban brand directly and has high power in attracting tourists and different investors. The urban landscape is one factor that greatly influences the urban brand and its development and progress.
