Design and Validation of a Sustainable Development Model for Sports Purposes Based on Tourist Behavior

Subject Areas : Innovation in Sports Management

negar  matinnia ¹ (Department of Physical Education, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
ابوالفضل  فراهانی ² (Professor of Sports Management, Department of Sports Sciences, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran)
mohsen  bagrian farah abadi ³ (Department of Physical Education, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)
Ali-Mohammad  Safania ⁴ (Department of Physical Education, Science and Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran)

Received: 2024-02-28 Accepted : 2024-05-06 Published : 2024-06-10

Keywords: Sports tourism, behavioral correspondences, sustainable development, environmental behaviors,

Abstract :

Objective: The aim of this research was to design and validate a sustainable development model for sports purposes based on tourist behavior. Method: This study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative study utilized grounded theory as the theoretical framework, while the quantitative study employed a descriptive-survey method. The qualitative sample consisted of stakeholders who were selected using snowball sampling technique, and 17 participants were chosen based on theoretical saturation. The quantitative sample included employees of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism, employees of travel and tourism companies, sports tour organizers, and guides, with a sample size of 270 individuals selected through simple random sampling. Interviews were used as the qualitative research tool, while a questionnaire was utilized for the quantitative research. To assess the quality and validity of the qualitative findings, the evaluation criteria of Lincoln and Guba (1985), including credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability, was employed. In the quantitative section, content validity, construct validity, and Cronbach's alpha were used. Findings: Based on the research findings, the behavioral correspondences of sports tourists with the goal of sustainable development for sports purposes were categorized into nine sub-dimensions and three main dimensions (core behaviors) under the titles of environmental behaviors, socio-cultural behaviors, and economic behaviors. All defining structures of these factors were confirmed and identified through factor analysis, indicating that the theoretical model possesses the necessary validity. Results: As observed, the behavioral objectives of sports tourists based on sustainable development for sports purposes emphasize the creation of balance in tourism development through environmental behaviors, socio-cultural behaviors, and economic behaviors.

References:

Amini Kamijani, H., Farahani, A., Goodarzi, M., & Ghorbani Ghahfarrokh, L. (2023). Sustainable development model of sports tourism in the Islamic Republic of Iran: Grounded theory based on upstream documents. Growth and Economic Development, 13(5), 65-94. (In Persian)
Amini, M., Bahraloloom, H., Andam, R., & Rabani, T. (2023). Objectives of sustainable sports tourism: Evaluation of obstacles and challenges. A case study: Isfahan Province. Urban Tourism Journal, 10(1), 117-132. (In Persian)
Barry, J. (2007). Environment and social theory. Routledge.
Cooper, M. A., & Buckley, R. (2022). Tourist mental health drives destination choice, marketing, and matching. Journal of Travel Research, 61(4), 786-799.
Darco, M., Marino, V., & Resciniti, R. (2023). Exploring the pro-environmental behavioral intention of Generation Z in the tourism context: The role of injunctive social norms and personal norms. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 1-22.
Falahnejad, A., Abdalvand, M A., Heidari-Hanzai, K., & Khon S. (2022). Designing and developing a model of halal tourism destination love with a sustainable development approach. Islamic Marketing Research Journal, 1(1), 41-68. (In Persian)
Gansser, O. A., & Reich, C. S. (2023). Influence of the new ecological paradigm (NEP) and environmental concerns on pro-environmental behavioral intention based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB). Journal of Cleaner Production, 382, 1-20.
Gomes, S., & Lopes, J. M. (2023). Insights for pro-sustainable tourist behavior: The role of sustainable destination information and pro-sustainable tourist habits. Sustainability, 15(11), 1-17.
Khoshabi, M., & Khazaei Pool, M. (2020). Examining the effect of personality traits and satisfaction with interpretive services on environmentally responsible behavior of tourists with the mediating role of place attachment. A case study: Tehran Bird Garden. Journal of Tourism Research and Sustainable Development, 3(1), 63-74. (In Persian)
Kumar, S., Valeri, M., Kumar, V., Kumar, S., & Bhatt, I. K. (2023). Mapping the Research Trends on Sports Tourism and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Analysis. Sport and Tourism, 1-22.
Lange, F. (2023). Behavioral paradigms for studying pro-environmental behavior: A systematic review. Behavior Research Methods, 55(2), 600-622.
Lin, M. T., Zhu, D., Liu, C., & Kim, P. B. (2022). A systematic review of empirical studies of pro-environmental behavior in hospitality and tourism contexts. International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, 34(11), 3982-4006.
Lin, Y. H., & Lee, T. H. (2020). How do recreation experiences affect visitors’ environmentally responsible behavior? Evidence from recreationists visiting ancient trails in Taiwan. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 28(5), 705-726.
Lincoln, Y. S., & Guba, E. G. (1985). Naturalistic inquiry. sage.
Maleki Varaki, S., Faghihi, A., & Mamrazadeh Tehran, G. (2023). Presenting a native model for sustainable tourism development management in Iran. Development and Transformation Management15(52), 13-21. (In Persian)
Mamghani Nasab, A., & Amiri, R. (2012). Investigating the factors affecting tourism planning and attraction management. A case study: Chabahar Port. First National Symposium on the Development of Makran Coasts and the Maritime Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (In Persian)
Moradi, R., Kheshtzar, I., & Mokhtari, M. (2020). Responsible action in the process of environmental socialization. Review of Iran's Social Issues, 11(1), 285-308. (In Persian)
Morgan, M. O., Okon, E. E., Emu, W. H., Olubomi, O. I. E., & Edodi, H. U. (2021). Tourism Management: A Panacea For Sustainability Of Hospitality Industry. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 37(3), 783-791.
Mousavi, R., Omid Najafabadi, Ma., Mirdamadi, S M., & Hosseini, S J F. (2021). Sustainable development model of sports tourism with a focus on rural sports and indigenous games. Tourism Management Studies, 16(55), 261-291. (In Persian)
Moyle, B. D., Hinch, T., & Higham, J. (Eds.). (2018). Sport tourism and sustainable destinations. Routledge.
Mozaffari, Z., & Ghasemi, M. (2023). Assessment of sustainability of rural tourism destinations from the perspective of the local community. A case study: Nishapur County. Rural and Sustainable Development Journal, Accepted for online publication. (In Persian)
Parks, L., Srinivasan, R., & Aragon, D. C. (2022). Digital empowerment for whom? An analysis of ‘Network sovereignty’in low-income, rural communities in Mexico and Tanzania. Information, Communication & Society, 25(14), 2140-2161.
Pronello, C., & Gaborieau, J. B. (2018). Engaging in pro-environment travel behaviour research from a psycho-social perspective: A review of behavioural variables and theories. Sustainability, 10(7), 2412-2431.
Ramkissoon, H., Weiler, B., & Smith, L. D. G. (2012). Place attachment and proenvironmental behaviour in national parks: The development of a conceptual framework. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 20, 257–276.
Ribes, J. F. P., & Baidal, J. I. (2018). Smart sustainability: A new perspective in the sustainable tourism debate. Investigaciones Regionales-Journal of Regional Research, (42), 151-170.
Sabzehparvar, M., Arami, P., Khavareh, M., Alinejad-Fard, M., Javaheri, I., Sadeghi Nayini, H., & Mousavi, M. (2021). Strategies for sustainable tourism development based on the integration of behavioral design and sustainability principles. Shabak Journal, 6(6), 187-198. (In Persian)
Sadeghat, M., & Ziaei, M. (2023). Development of a paradigmatic model for sustainable tourism development in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Tourism and Development, Accepted for online publication. (In Persian)
Shakoori, A., Esmaelizadeh, K., & & Sahabi, J. (2011). Sustainable tourism and its components The First International conference on Tourism Management And Sustainable Development (TMSD), Islamic Azad University Marvdasht Branch, Fars, Iran. (In Persian)
Sharpley, R., & Telfer, D. J. (Eds.). (2015). Tourism and development: concepts and issues.
Thormann, T. F., & Wicker, P. (2021). Determinants of pro-environmental behavior among voluntary sport club members. German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 51(1), 29-38.
Tudorache, D. M., Simon, T., Frenț, C., & Musteaţă-Pavel, M. (2017). Difficulties and challenges in applying the european tourism indicators system (ETIS) for sustainable tourist destinations: the case of braşov county in the Romanian carpathians. Sustainability, 9(10), 1-19.
Weaver, D. B. (2021). Sustainable tourism: Theory and practice. Routledge.
Wu, J., & Ji, C. (2023). Image Construction of China's Rural Sports Tourism Destination from the Perspective of Rural Revitalization. Tourism Management and Technology Economy, 6(3), 1-13.
Wu, J., Font, X., & Liu, J. (2021). Tourists’ pro-environmental behaviors: Moral obligation or disengagement?. Journal of Travel Research, 60(4), 735-748.
Zhang, H., Zhang, X., & Bai, B. (2021). Tourism employee pro-environmental behavior: An integrated multi-level model. Journal of Hospitality and Tourism Management, 47, 443-452.
Zsóka, Á., Szerényi, Z. M., Széchy, A., & Kocsis, T. (2013). Greening due to environmental education? Environmental knowledge, attitudes, consumer behavior and everyday pro-environmental activities of Hungarian high school and university students. Journal of cleaner production, 48, 126-138.