| Identification of Economic Drivers Influencing the Future of Iran’s Sport Tourism |
| Paper ID : 1594-SPORTCONGRESS (R2) |
| Authors |
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Zahra Amiri moghadam1, Zahra Akbari2, Ahmad Mahmoudi *3 1Tehran university 2گرایش مدیریت رویداد های گردشگری، دانشکده علوم ورزشی و تندرستی، دانشگاه تهران، تهران، ایران 3AssistanAssistant Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.t Professor |
| Abstract |
| Introduction: Sport tourism is defined as “all forms of active and passive participation in sporting activities, whether casual or organized, for non-commercial or commercial reasons, that require travel away from home”(Gozalova et al., 2014). Futures studies in tourism represent a systematic approach that, through analyzing the past and present, aims to forecast trends and future developments in the tourism industry to support effective planning and decision-making(Jahanian, 2017). Methods: This applied qualitative research adopted an analytical–exploratory approach to identify the challenges of developing electronic sports in developing countries. The statistical population consisted of experts, players, coaches, and club managers. A purposive sampling technique was employed and continued until theoretical saturation (27 participants). Data were collected through in-depth interviews and questionnaires, analyzed using thematic analysis and open coding to extract main and subcategories of challenges. To enhance credibility and validity, the findings were reviewed by domain experts. Results: The findings revealed that technological innovations in sport tourism sales and services, the extension of tourists’ length of stay and spending at destinations, and the diversification of income sources through integrated packages and local products are among the key economic drivers shaping the future of Iran’s sport tourism. These factors can promote economic sustainability, local employment, and regional competitiveness, thereby improving the developmental trajectory of the sector. Conclusion: The results indicated that technological innovation, increased tourist stays, and income diversification are the most influential economic drivers of Iran’s sport tourism. Forward-looking planning, coupled with private sector investment support, is essential for achieving sustainable growth and enhancing destination competitiveness. Keywords: Sport Tourism, Economic Drivers, Tourism Futures Studies |
| Keywords |
| Sport Tourism, Economic Drivers, Tourism Futures Studies |
| Status: Abstract Accepted (Poster Presentation) |
