Tourism Management Studies

Designing a Framework for Circular Tourism Development : A Case Study of Ardabil Province

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Bahman Khodapanah 1
Fariba Mesri Eisalo 2
Vali Nemati 3
Mojtaba Babaei 4

1 Assistant Professor/ Department of Business Management College Social Sciences University Mohaghegh Ardabili city Ardabil/ Iran

2 M.A. Graduate in Business Management College Social Sciences University Mohaghegh Ardabili city Ardabil/ Iran

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration and Tourism College Social Sciences University Mohaghegh Ardabili city Ardabil/ Iran

4 Master's Degree in Urban Affairs Management Faculty of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22054/tms.2025.83271.3008
Abstract
This study aims to design a framework for circular tourism development in Ardabil Province using a content analysis approach. To achieve this, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 tourism experts. Data analysis and coding yielded 229 open codes, which were categorized into 26 axial codes. Furthermore, 10 selective codes were identified, including sustainable management of local resources, strengthening local culture and heritage, reutilization and ecological coexistence, waste management and crisis conditions, empowerment and local participation, strengthening the local economy and entrepreneurship, enhancing local solidarity and public awareness, innovation and creative management, autonomy and process improvement, and diversification and local incentives.

As a pioneering study in circular tourism, this research provides a conceptual framework for developing this tourism model in Ardabil Province. The study concludes with practical recommendations to facilitate the implementation of circular tourism and promote sustainable regional development.

Keywords

Circular economy
tourism industry development
circular tourism
content analysis
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Tourism Management Studies
Volume 20, Issue 72
Autumn 2026
Pages 177-212

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