Tourism Management Studies

Abstract

Abstract The study utilized a descriptive-analytical approach, employing documentary studies and field investigations to evaluate the criteria for establishing a cultural heritage village in the global precinct of Firozabad. A researcher-developed questionnaire was administered to 350 individuals from the local community, focusing on three critical criteria: heritage capacities, travel industry infrastructure, and community participation. Data analysis was conducted using statistical software, including SPSS and Smart PLS, incorporating descriptive statistics and inferential tests aligned with the research objectives. Given the region's rich cultural and natural attractions, The findings suggest favorable conditions for establishing a heritage village in the Firozabad global complex. However, challenges such as the need for comprehensive studies, management issues, and budget allocation need to be addressed. Additionally, the travel industry infrastructure requires improvement to meet global standards, necessitating public and private investment. Government support and community involvement are crucial for the success of heritage village initiatives, and educating the local community about the benefits of tourism can foster practical support for such projects.                                     

Abstract The perception of tourists is a psychological factor that affects tourists’ behavior and business performance. Shaping tourist agencies or managing perceptions is crucial for creating a competitive advantage and developing competitiveness for travel agencies. Various factors have played a role in the formation of tourists’ perceptions, which have been discussed in this article and previous studies. However, a comprehensive pattern regarding the management of tourists’ perceptions has yet to be presented so far, and the purpose of this research was to extract the pattern of tourists’ perceptions management. In this research, the qualitative-qualitative method was used, that is, a meta-synthesis method for literature and background analysis, and then open, axial, and selective codes were extracted from the thematic analysis method with the help of conducted interviews. In order to validate and check reliability, inter-coder reliability was used, and the community and sample for interviews included experts and managers of travel agencies. Finally, the final pattern has been extracted as a network of themes of antecedents, perception management methods, and consequences.

Abstract As a subgroup of health tourism and industry with high potential, medical tourism plays an essential role in the sustainable development of the health tourism industry as a link between the medical and tourism sectors. The present study attempts to identify effective key drivers by examining and analyzing key factors and uncertainties in medical tourism development to present a model to improve the current process of developing medical tourism programs in the Isfahan metropolis. The applied study employed documentary and survey research techniques (cross-impact questionnaire) based on new foresight, analytical, and exploratory methods. The statistical population consisted of 35 urban tourism planning experts, city managers, and tourism researchers (21 managers and experts and 14 researchers) selected by the snowball sampling method. The Delphi method was employed to collect the data. The MicMac software for data analysis used the cross-impact analysis method of variables. The results of the dispersion of the variables in the axis of influence and influence of the factors indicate the system's instability in the development of medical tourism in the studied area. Finally, according to the high direct and indirect impact scores, nine main factors were identified as key drivers in the future development of medical tourism in the Isfahan metropolis.

Abstract Due to its diverse natural, historical, and cultural resources, Guilan province has good potential for tourism development. In this research, an attempt has been made to design a model to utilize the formal education system’s capacity to defuse cultural basics according to the geographical, climatic, and social conditions and characteristics of Guilan province. It is expected that this province can provide sustainable tourism development by implementing the teacher coaching plan and using such a model. This research is applied research in which the method of collecting data was in the form of library and field methods through interviews and observation. Also, the qualitative content analysis method was used to check the content of theoretical foundations, executive regulations, interviews with experts, and documents. In this research, the community of participants are experts who were selected from the active people in the field of tourism and coaching in Guilan province, among whom the people who had sufficient experience, knowledge, and information and the best conditions to provide the information needed in the field of sustainable tourism. The sample was a purposeful and snowball selection, achieved based on the saturation rule using 15 interviews but continued until the 20th interview for greater certainty. Findings and results, preservation, protection, and support of the environment, social structures, and protection of the cultures and customs of the communities are among the main consequences and principles of sustainable tourism, which can be achieved up to the extent of using the coaching technique. It may add to the positive points of sustainable tourism and reduce its negative points.

Abstract Newsjacking (news surfing) is one of the advertising and public relations techniques in which brands direct the wave of a new trend in their direction. Unfortunately, this strategy is unsuitable for most Iranian businesses, especially tourism. It is unknown or not used. Therefore, the present research investigates the reason for this and identifies the challenges and limitations of its use by tourism businesses based on a qualitative approach and thematic analysis method. Therefore, the research is practical. The statistical population was all marketing specialists, content production, and tourism activists who know newsjacking properly; eight experts were selected through theoretical sampling and agreed to participate in the research. The data collection tool was in-depth interviews, the total duration of which varied from 50 to 70 minutes for each person, through open, central, and selective coding, which were analyzed and presented the research conceptual model. Findings are set in the form of challenges and limitations related to 1) the nature of newsjacking itself, 2) newsjacking in Iranian tourism, 3) external limitations of tourism businesses, 4) internal limitations of tourism businesses, and 5) Challenges related to audience reaction. Finally, suggestions such as choosing news unrelated to tourism, creative and robust work teams, choosing the right platform, awareness, and education, and to solving these limitations not being idealistic was presented.

Abstract Currently, numerous cities offer a variety of tourist attractions, which contribute to a unique local atmosphere for visitors. These attractions not only expand the range of appealing destinations but also have the potential to boost a city's reputation in the tourism industry, bringing economic benefits, job opportunities, and improved sustainability. Museums, art galleries, festivals, historic sites, and cultural events bring many tourists to a city and create changes in both tourists and the city environment. Their influence extends to economic, political, and social aspects, significantly impacting cultural interactions. Every city worldwide has its mix of features and activities, giving it a distinct identity. Promoting Kermanshah as a creative tourism destination, emphasizing cultural and artistic manifestations tailored to the province's needs and potential abilities, can be an essential step in contributing to sustainable regional development. This step involves utilizing existing attractions to create innovative tourism experiences, which require research and active involvement from tourism stakeholders. Since each region has its own geographic and unique characteristics, it is essential to conduct region-specific studies. Thus, the present study aims to identify the factors driving creative tourism development and emphasize the role of urban branding in Kermanshah Province. The dominant approach of the research was mixed (qualitative-quantitative), in which theme analysis and survey methods were used in the qualitative and quantitative parts. The inductive content analysis was performed, and through three procedures of open coding, secondary coding (finding concepts), and categories, 153 primary codes, 17 conceptual codes, and five factors were identified, which are drivers of cultural and historical heritage, institutions and organizations, and social drivers were the first, the second, and the third priorities, respectively.

Abstract The traditional goal of satisfaction has yet to work to ensure customer loyalty, and moving toward customer delight is essential for hotels. This research aims to design and validate the customer delight model in the hotel industry using mixed-methods research. At first, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 30 specialists using grounded theory and theoretical and purposive sampling methods. Three coding steps identified 98 concepts and 25 main categories presented as a paradigm model. The research hypotheses were tested using the structural equation modeling method. The findings of the quantitative section showed that the category of perceived value of service is the causal factor and the cause of customer delight, and this category will influence the consequences of delight (customer's positive behavioral intentions and improvement of hotel performance) through the optimization of the customer experience management process. Meanwhile, in order to successfully implement delight strategies, it is necessary to pay attention to the availability of cultural platforms (organizational culture, management's commitment to customer delight, and Customer engagement) and obstacles to delight (increasing customer expectations, increasing the costs of delight, and reducing the effectiveness of delighting actions).