Locating multi-purpose tourism centers with an emphasis on crisis management against natural hazards (case study: Mashhad city)

Subject Areas : Environmental hazards and human settlements

minoo yazdi moghadam ^{1 *} , Ezzatullah Mafi ² , Marziyeh Rajabi ³

1 - Master's Degree in Tourism, Motahar Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad
2 - Professor of the Department of Tourism, Motahar Rationalist Higher Education Institute, Mashhad
3 - Assistant Professor of Tourism Department, Motahar Institute of Higher Education, Mashhad

Received: 2024-01-24 Accepted : 2024-04-28 Published : 2024-02-11

Keywords: Tourism, crisis management, locating, natural disasters, Mashhad.,

Abstract :

Introduction: The tourism industry was given special attention due to its great impact on the economic prosperity of different countries, and for this reason, efforts were made to reduce fluctuations in this industry. From this point of view, crisis management regarding natural disasters that humans have little control over and have a high amount of destruction, was taken into consideration in tourism. The city of Mashhad is also one of the most important tourist centers in Iran and the Middle East, and due to being in a special geographical position, it is affected by various natural disasters. The purpose of the research: The present research aims to investigate the possibility of natural disasters in Mashhad and its impact on tourism and the need to use an active crisis management approach. And in the area of Mashhad city, what are the favorable conditions for building a multi-purpose tourism complex? Research method: In order to answer the research questions, a quantitative survey method was chosen and 56 questionnaires were distributed among Mashhad tourism experts. Findings: Earthquake is the most important natural disaster that has the potential to create a crisis in Mashhad tourism and subsidence has this effect in creating a hidden crisis. Facing the heat wave is also an acute crisis for Mashhad tourism, which should be taken into account in order to build a tourism complex in Mashhad and to reduce possible damages and activate crisis management. Results: In the final stage and using the opinions of experts, the four dimensions of compatibility, accessibility, service and desirability, which have a total of 13 indicators, were designed, and by using ArcGIS and the designed matrix of indicators, location was done and it was determined that the lands of the boulevard Namaz and Elahiya are suitable places for building a tourism complex in Mashhad.