An explanation of the concept of tourism competitiveness in the direction of economic development (A case study: Iran)

Subject Areas : Regional Planning

Mohsen Panahande ¹ (Student of urban planning, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.)
Seyyed Mohammad Rashtian ² (Assistant Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.)
Mahnaz Goodarzi, ³ (Assistant Professor, Department of International Relations and Political Science, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.)
Saeed daei-karimzadeh ⁴ (Associate Professor, Department of Economic Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Economic Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Branch (Khorasgan), Isfahan, Iran.)
Faezeh Taghipour ⁵ (Assistant Professor, Department of Communication Sciences, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Ira)

Received: 2023-12-04 Accepted : 2024-01-27 Published : 2024-02-20

Keywords: Iran, economic development, Tourism, Competitiveness,

Abstract :

Abstract
Tourism competitiveness holds significant importance in economic development. Enhancing competitiveness can lead to increased market share and economic growth in the tourism sector. Numerous studies have analyzed the determinants of tourism destination competitiveness. This research examines how tourism competitiveness in Iranian cities contributes to the country's economic development.The purpose of this research, on the one hand, is the link between the two concepts of competitiveness and the indicators used for measurement, and on the other hand, studies related to tourism competitiveness models and economic growth resulting from the presence of tourists. In terms of the nature of the research, the research method of the upcoming study is qualitative research, and in terms of the goal, it is developmental or applied in terms of methodology, it is analysis and copying tools, And the statistical population is used by experts and professors related to tourism competition and urban planning, and in the end, the analysis of information has been done by means of confirmatory factor analysis. The results obtained from these studies define a model in which the provision of heritage tourism resources with the provision of productive resources and the links between them are the elements that determine the capacity of an economy for production as a result of economic growth. The presented models have emphasized a set of related variables that indicate how they must be measured and evaluated. Even so, an increase in tourism activity contributes positively to economic growth, although how it does so, how much, as well as generalizing this contribution to the development of all countries or periods, are questions that remain.
 
Extended Abstract
 
Introduction
Based on this, the main problem of the research has been stated as follows: what are the concepts for creating competition between cities? Also, how can the government and the people solve the economic problems of society by using these competitions? On the other hand, how can actual and potential competition between cities lead to economic prosperity and solve other problems of cities and citizens? In this regard, Iran, as one of the countries whose economy is strongly dependent on oil, can move away from the oil economy by creating actual and potential competition between its cities, as well as changes in the texture of localities and the physicality of urban spaces to attract Tourists can promote  the economy caused by tourism.
 
Methodology
the research method of the upcoming study is qualitative research, and in terms of the goal, it is developmental or applied in terms of methodology, it is analysis and copying tools, And the statistical population is used by experts and professors related to tourism competition and urban planning, and in the end, the analysis of information has been done by means of confirmatory factor analysis.
 
Results and Discussion
In this research, a new concept of the relationship between competitiveness, tourism, and growth has been presented in which the provision of hereditary resources, together with the provision of production resources and the links between them, are the elements that determine the capacity of an economy for production and as a result growth. The new conceptual framework of tourism variables, including the model, does not depend on demand factors. Instead, it directly focuses on production factors such as physical and human capital. Unlike previous models that measured tourism by tourism income or the number of tourists, this new model aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of tourism. (Lejárraga, Walkenhorst, 2010)This variable refers to the conditions of the territory, which motivates the offer of tourism in a geographical area. As shown in previous studies on measuring tourism competitiveness, what should be included in the conception of intrinsic resources of tourism remains an undefined question.
 
Conclusion
In general, it seems that in certain lands there is a series of elements that make those places attractive for tourists, which is related to culture, environment and climate. These sources are numerous, and some of them have been protected from interest over the past century, indicating that they are known as attractive elements for the reasons already mentioned. Therefore, from the measurement of those elements, it is possible to produce an index that includes only the elements related to culture, environment and climatic condition, with the previously shown tourism competitiveness measurement techniques, such as those applied in TTCI or CM. Several aspects should be considered when analyzing these relationships. Firstly, The number of foreign economic variables like public capital, private capital, and human territory are indicators of the competitiveness of destination tourism.The influence of production factors on competitiveness indicators is a direct result of economic growth. The second measure of tourism is usually income or the number of tourists, which involves connecting a demand variable with economic growth. In addition, the relationship between tourism and economic growth is influenced by other variables such as physical and human capital, as well as infrastructure. The study will be biased if these variables are not taken into account to explain growth. This research proposes that the relationships between tourism and territory can be viewed from the standpoint of the territory having certain inherent qualities or resources that make it attractive to travelers, rather than the influence of production factors. These Innate resources are known as inherited resources. The provision of those resources in a territory, along with the provision of production resources, such as private or public capital and human capital and their connection with each other, means the complementary or alternative relationships that exist between them, elements that determine the capacity of an economy to produce and thus grow.

References:

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