Exploring Diverse Stakeholder Perspectives on Tourism: Research based on Q Methodology

Subject Areas : Geography and tourism planning, geography and urban planning, urban planning, architecture, geography and rural planning, political geography

Tayebeh Nikraftar ¹ , Keyvan Fathi ²

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Received: 2025-07-18 Published : 2024-03-12

Keywords: Stakeholder, Tourism, Q Method, Attitude Patterns,

Abstract :

 

The perception of tourism among beneficiaries is a crucial element that affects their support for tourism development. This study investigates the viewpoints of various stakeholders regarding the influx of tourists in Iran. Utilizing Q methodology, the research assessed stakeholder perceptions through a carefully selected representative sample of 36 items from the concourse. A total of 30 stakeholders, including residents, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, participated in completing the Q questionnaire.The data analysis identified three distinct attitude patterns: Interactive, Developmental, and Conflictual. Participants exhibiting Interactive and Developmental thinking patterns generally held a positive view of tourism, acknowledging its potential benefits. Conversely, those with a Conflictual mindset expressed negative sentiments towards tourism, raising concerns about environmental degradation, cultural integrity, and rising living costs. Significantly, the Developmental thinking pattern showed the highest factor loading among participants, followed by the Conflictual pattern. While prior research has quantitatively examined factors influencing beneficiary attitudes towards tourism, this study is groundbreaking in its qualitative approach, particularly in the context of developing and Muslim countries, aiming to deepen the understanding of tourism beneficiaries' attitudes.

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