Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Reza Heydari ¹
• Mohammad Keshtidar ²
• Seyed Morteza Azimzadeh ³
• Mahdi Talebpour ⁴
• Haywantee Our staff Ramkissoon ⁵

¹ Assistant Professor, Department of Sport Tourism and Health, Faculty of Tourism, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Professor of Sports Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.

⁴ Professor of Sport Management, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran

⁵ Centre for Contemporary Hospitality & Tourism & Centre for Business Improvement, College of Business, Law & Social Sciences, Derby Business School, University of Derby, Derby

Abstract

This research aimed to identify and rank the factors influencing the development of creative tourism based on sports heritage. The study utilized a structural-interpretive method, with library studies, interviews, and questionnaires serving as data collection tools. The results identified 13 key factors, which were classified into six levels. Environmental factors and tourist attractions were ranked at the first level. The second level included social and cultural factors, infrastructure, international interactions, and marketing. Technology, education, and research were placed at the third level, while the economic factor stood alone at the fourth level. Management and human resources were positioned at the fifth level, and finally, political, legal, and governance factors were assigned to the sixth level. The model revealed that despite being at the lowest level, political, legal, and governance factors are of paramount importance in the development of creative tourism and should be considered the top priority in development efforts.

Keywords

• Intangible cultural heritage
• Governance and Law
• Management
• Human Resources
• Creative Tourism Destination

Main Subjects

• Heritage tourism planning