Identifying the Key Variables of the International Tourism Market with an Emphasis on the Destination Competitiveness Theory Based on Integrated Model (Case Study: Tehran Metropolis)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.Sc., Geography and Rural Tourism, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

2 Assistant Professor, Geography and Rural Planning, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

3 Associated Professor, Political Geography, Department of Geography, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran.

10.22080/tmhr.2024.27113.1015

Abstract

Context and Purpose: The high competitiveness of destinations in the international tourism market is one of the main success factors in the tourism industry, especially the tourism of metropolises and benefiting from its advantages. Therefore, the present study investigated this issue to identify the key variables of the international tourism market with an emphasis on the competitiveness of tourist destinations in Tehran. The tourist destinations of this city, due to Tehran being the capital, have a strategic and unique location, which has made the issue of competitiveness in this city doubly important.
Design/methodology/approach: The research method was descriptive-analytical and applied. The statistical population of this research consisted of three main groups, including 35 professors from Tehran province universities, who were selected using a stratified random sampling method, 30 tourism experts in the province, and 15 available tourists. Finally, 80 people were selected as the sample size from the three statistical communities under study. Data analysis was done in the SPSS20 software environment.
Findings: The findings showed that destination resources are the most important key factors influencing the competitiveness of tourist destinations in Tehran city. Pearson's correlation coefficient values also showed that there is a positive and significant relationship between the competitiveness of tourism destinations and independent variables (physical resources (God-given and created), historical and cultural resources (inherited), human resources, knowledge resources, capital resources, supporting factors and resources, and situational conditions) at the 99% confidence level.
Conclusion: For the competitiveness of tourist destinations in Tehran, it is necessary to pay attention to destination resources, especially destination management. In ranking the effective variables of competitiveness, the respondents considered capital resources, supporting factors and resources, knowledge resources, tourism infrastructures, and superstructures to have a key role. Therefore, it is suggested that investment by the public and private sectors in marketing the tourism sector be considered.
Originality/value: Attention to the key variables of the competitiveness of tourism destinations is a topic that has not been addressed in previous studies. This research discusses the ability and capability of a destination to maintain its position and market share or modify part of it over time.

Keywords


 Afrahakhte, H; Alizadeh, D; Rezaei, A; Alizadeh, P (2012). Measuring the attractiveness and competitiveness of tourist places using TDCA model (case example: Mashhad Rock Park). Journal of Urban Studies, No. 3, pp. 58-67.
Bagheri, M, Shujaei, P, Kayani, M (2016). Presenting a structural interpretative model of travel and tourism competitiveness indicators. Case study: Fars Province, Journal of Tourism Planning and Development, Year 5, Number 18, pp. 137-157.
Broumand, Babak, Kazemi, Ali, Ranjbarian, Bahram (2018), Development of an ecometric model for tourism competitiveness of Iran's tourism destinations, Novin Marketing Research Quarterly, 8th year, 2nd issue, serial 29, pp. 105-122.
Cracolici, M. F. Nijkamp, P. & Rietveld, P. 2008. Assessment of tourism competitiveness by analyzing destination efficiency. Tourism Economics, 14 (2), 325-342.
Creane, S. Rishi Goyal, A. Moshfigh, M. and Randa, S. (2004). Financial Sector Development in the Middle East and North Africa, IMF Working Paper, Washington: International Monetary Fund
Crouch, G. (2007), Modelling Destination Competitiveness, A survey and Analysis of the Impact of competitiveness Attributes, Sustainable Tourism Pty Ltd, Australia.
Crouch, G. and Ritchie, J.B.R. (1995) Destination competitiveness and the role of the tourism enterprise. Proceedings of the Fourth Annual Business Congress (pp. 43–8). Istanbul, Turkey, 13–16 July.
Crouch, G. I. 2011. Destination competitiveness: An analysis of determinant attributes. Journal of Travel Research, 50(1), 27-45.
Crouch, G.I. Ritchie, J.R.B. (1999) Tourism, competitiveness, and social prosperity, Journal of Business Research, 44, 132-137.
Dwyer, L. & Kim, C. 2001. Destination competitiveness: Development of a model with application to Australia and the Republic of Korea: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Korea Tourism Research Institute, the Republic of Korea, Department of Industry, Science and Resources, CRC for sustainable Tourism, Australia-Korea Foundation, Australia.
Dwyer, L. & Kim, C. 2003. Destination competitiveness: determinants and indicators. Current issues in tourism, 6(5), 369-414.
Ebrahimzadeh, I; Hafez Rezazadeh, M; Daraei, M (2014). Planning and optimal location of urban tourism facilities and infrastructures or using GIS (case study: Semnan city). Geography and Development Quarterly. No. 35. pp. 33-48.
Farzin, M.R and Nadalipour, Z (2019), Factors affecting the competitive advantage of tourism destinations in Iran under study: Chabahar region.
Farzin, M.R, Shekari, F, Azizi (2018), Tourism destination competitiveness: importance-performance analysis (case study: Yazd and Shiraz cities), Tourism Management Studies Quarterly, 13th year, number 44, pp. 219-247.
Hudson, S. Ritchie, B. & Timur, S. 2004. Measuring DestinationCompetitiveness: An Empirical Study of Canadian SkiResorts. Tourismand Hospitality Planning & Development, 1(1), 79- 94.
Jamshidi M.2004. Iran’s share of Eco-tourism, Tehran, publications of the organization of cultural heritage, tourism and handcrafts.
Javan, F; Hojjat Shamami, S, Seifizadeh, M (2021), Analysis of drivers effective on the development of tourism in the metropolis of Rasht based on the future research approach, Quarterly Journal of Program and Development Research, 2 (6): 161-186.
Kharazmi, Abulqasem. (2005). Investigating the relationship between the causality of tourism and trade in Iran, Journal of Business Research, No. 37, pp. 91-108.
Nad Alipour, Z (2020). Investigating the quality of tourism destination management in terms of competitive advantage in Chabahar. Jahangordi Magazine, No. 1, pp. 57-73
Nazm Far, H, Eshghi Chahar Borj, A; Alavi, S (2020), evaluation of tourism competitiveness of Middle East countries in terms of transportation infrastructure, Transportation Journal, 17th year, 1st volume, number 62, pp. 27-46.
Negi, J (2003). Travel Agency operation: Concepts and Principles,New Delhi: Kanishka Publishers, Distributors.
Norouzi family, H; Sharifi, Sh and Shidaei, A (2015). Evaluation of urban tourism with emphasis on the development of tourism infrastructure and urban competitiveness; Research case: Tehran Metropolis, Urban Management Quarterly, No. 39, pp. 392-369.
Oliani, N; Bedinelli Rossi, G; Gervasoni, C (2011). What are the attractiveness factor that influence the choice of a tourist destination- A study of Brazilian Tourist Cnsumer, Chinese Business review, ISSN 1537-1506, April 2011, Vol 10, No.4,286-293.
Qaderi, E, Arabi, S.S (2020), Competitiveness of urban tourism in Yaran using integrated model of Doair. Amish Mohit Quarterly, No. 49, pp. 203-228.
UNWTO. 2015. Tourism Highlights. World Tourism Organization.
World Economic Forum. (2019). The travel and tourism competitiveness report 2019: Balancing. economic, www.weforum.org.
World Travel & Tourism Council. 2015. Travel & Tourism; economic impact 2015 IRAN .