The Effect of Climate Hazards on the Number of Foreign Tourists in the City of Isfahan

Abstract
This study is aimed to investigate the effect of climatic hazards on the number of foreign tourists in Isfahan.To do that, we used statistics of total precipitation, absolute minimum of temperature, absolute maximum of temperature, maximum precipitation in 24 hour, number of dusty days, number of icy days and air quality index in IsfahanCity andstatistics ofNumber of foreign touristson monthly basis from 1382 to 1393 .So we used linear regression and Pearson Correlation .The results have shown that during the studied period thenumber of tourists has been affected more than other hazards respectively by air pollution, extreme heats, icy days, extreme cold, dust, drought and finally extreme precipitation .
 
Introduction
Tourism is one of the main sectors of the world economy and is heavily influenced by climatic and climate conditions.Therefore knowledge of the climate hazards in each region and its effects on tourism will play a significant role in tourism management and planning as well as increasing demand of the region tourists .Considering that exploitation of the environmental capabilities in each region can lead to the development of the region and , on the other hand, the climate is one of the main factors in the development of the regions;
The study and identification of climate constraints and hazards to consider them in planning at various national , provincial and urban levels is important for tourism development.On the other hand, inappropriate weather conditions reduce positive aspects and attractions of a tourist area and cause adverse effects on tourism.
 
Data and Methods
At first, the SPI method was used to investigate drought in Isfahan.Then using linear regression and Pearson correlation tests, the correlation between the studied parameters was done on the monthly and annual scale.In the following the correlations were done by a one-month, two-month, and one-year delay.
 
Results
The results of studies have shown that in the monthly scale the air quality index in during the months from Farvardin to Tir, Shahrivar and Esfand, extreme precipitation in Mordad, Mehr and Dey , the extreme cold in Aban, and extreme heats in Azar , more than other hazards have affected the number of foreign tourists.The correlation between the studied parameters with one-month delay also showed that the air quality index in Khordad , extreme precipitation in Aban and the extreme cold in Azar, more than other hazards have affected the number of tourists.During the two-month delay, dust in Mehr, extreme precipitation in Azar and the extreme cold in Dey , more than other hazards have affected on the number of tourists.In the annual scale, the extreme coldfrom 1382 to 1385 and 1387, extreme heats from1386to 1392 andfrosty in 1391, more than other hazards have affected on the number of tourists.During the one-year delay ,the extreme coldfrom 1383 to 1385, extreme heats from1386 and 1387, the air quality index in 1388 and the icy days from 1392 and 1393 were the most significant hazard to the number of tourists.
 
Keywords: Isfahan , Drought , Extremely Cold , Tourism , weather hazards
 
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