Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Department of physical education, Mashhad branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, lran.
2
Professor, Sport Management Department, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad
3
Department of physical education, Mashhad branch, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, lran
Abstract
Context and Purpose: Sports tourism, as one of the emerging and high-potential sectors of the tourism industry, provides a unique opportunity to combine economic development with cultural heritage preservation. Iran, with its rich heritage of traditional sports and geographical-climatic diversity, has high potential in this field, but lacks a comprehensive and indigenous model for developing this industry.
Design/methodology/approach: This applied-exploratory research was conducted using a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach. In the qualitative phase, grounded theory and Strauss and Corbin’s paradigmatic model were employed through 14 in-depth interviews with experts. In the quantitative phase, a researcher-made questionnaire was administered to 384 sports tourism stakeholders, and data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling.
Findings: From qualitative analysis, 220 open codes were extracted into 25 axial codes and 5 main categories: causal conditions (including cultural-social, political-security, economic-service, managerial-structural, geographical-environmental, and technological factors), contextual conditions, intervening conditions, strategies, and consequences. Quantitative results showed that the model has acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha >0.87) and validity. The goodness of fit index (GOF=0.537) confirmed strong model fit.
Conclusion: The proposed model provides a comprehensive and integrated framework for developing Iran’s sports tourism with emphasis on cultural heritage preservation, which can serve as a practical guide for policymakers and managers in this field.
Keywords
Main Subjects
)