Sociological Explanation of Tourism Development in Chabahar Free Zone

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD in Economic Sociology and Development, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences. Roudehan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehan, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Sociology, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Roudehan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehan, Iran.

3 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Psychology and Social Sciences, Roudehan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Roudehan, Iran.

Abstract

Context and Purpose: This research aims to explain the socio-economic development model of the tourism industry of Iran's free zones from a sociological point of view.
Design/methodology/approach: Through targeted sampling, the information of 15 people from the Chabahar Free Trade Zone Organization, tourism activists, officials related to tourism, the local community, and tourists, was collected and analyzed through semi-structured interviews and using the Grounded theory method, the socio-economic development model of tourism industry in Iran's free zones was designed from a sociological point of view.
Findings: The dimensions of the socio-economic development model of the tourism industry of Iran's free zones from a sociological point of view can be categorized into 69 main categories in the form of causal conditions, contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences.
Conclusion: The correct application of this model can lead to the country's development in the shadow of the development engine (tourism), creating stable employment, prosperity of small and local businesses, development of international tourism, and better income generation of tourism institutions.
Originality/value: Providing new methods for developing tourism in the free zone from a sociological point of view; including the level of tourists' satisfaction with social services, the level of social support of tourism institutions for tourists, and the level of social participation of tourists.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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