Sustainable Tourism Development in Border Regions: A Case Study of Kermanshah Province

Öz

This research uses a case study of Kermanshah province in Iran which has variety of historical, cultural and natural attractions. It is imperative to place emphasis on such attractions in a bid to inform the governments and investors in appropriate planning of tourism so as to achieve the set goals. It is applied research. For this article, we used an analytical and descriptive research methodology. Documental and library research techniques were used to gather data and relevant information for this research. Systematic data collection and information from library and documentary search..Kermanshah also faces several barriers and challenges, including insufficient infrastructure, weak marketing activities, inadequate tourism management, and increasing interest in foreign travel. To capitalize on its vast tourism potential, Kermanshah needs comprehensive planning, infrastructure development, effective marketing strategies, and coordinated tourism management. These efforts are essential to overcome the identified challenges and encourage sustainable tourism in the region. Kermanshah has the potential to position itself as a prominent global sustainable tourism destination, contributing to socio-economic development and cultural exchange.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sustainable tourism
• border regions
• tourism potential
• barriers
• challenges
• Kermanshah Province.

Kaynakça

1. Afshari, A. (2020). Explain the role and effects of tourism development on the promotion of cultural and urban sustainability variables (case study: Rasht city), Geographical Journal of Tourism,issue 39.
2. Amiri, A., & Shahsavari, R. (2017). Craftsmanship and Handicrafts in Kermanshah: An Assessment of Local Artistry. Iranian Studies, 50(6), 911-931.
3. Faraji, E., et al. (2019). An Exploration of the Significance of Music and Dance in Kermanshah's Local Culture. Ethnomusicology Forum, 28(1), 74-92.
4. General Department of Tourism and Cultural Heritage of Kermanshah Province. (2018). https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/12308953.pdf
5. Gholipour, H., & Aghaei, A. (2017). Investigating the Barriers and Solutions for Sustainable Tourism Development: Case Study of Kurdistan Province. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports, 12(1), 31-50.
6. Hall, D. R., (2000). Tourism as Sustainable Development? The all Albanian Experience of Transition, International Journal of Tourism Research 2(1):31-46
7. Hall, C. M., & Page, S. J. (2014). The Geography of Tourism and Recreation: Environment, Place and Space. Routledge.
8. Javanmard, A. (2017). An Investigation of the Role of Local Markets in Promoting Sustainable Tourism in Kermanshah, Iran. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 25(8), 1070-1086.

9. Keshavarzi, M. (2019). Persian Carpet Weaving: A Case Study of Kermanshah, Iran. Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 1(1), 1-8.
10. Khaleghi, H., & Jahanbakhshi, A. (2019). Natural Tourism Attractions, Sustainable Development, and Earning Money for Protected Areas in the Oramanat Forest, Iran. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 27(10), 1046-1065.
11. Kousis, M. (2000). Rural restructuring in the global era: Challenges for rural development. Sociologia Ruralis, 40(4), 559-572.
12. Movahed, M. (2016). Culinary Tourism in Kermanshah: An Exploration of Local Dishes and Their Cultural Significance. Food, Culture & Society, 19(3), 501-517.
13. Najafpour, Z., et al. (2018). The Role of Festivals in Showcasing Kermanshah's Cultural Heritage. Event Management, 22(6), 955-969.
14. Nelson, J. G., & Chen, L. H. (2002). Developing the cultural tourism in an old city: New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Tourism Management, 23(2), 179-186.
15. Nouri, M Soltani (2015). Evaluating the effect of tourism marketing mix on buying holiday homes in Cyprus, nternational Journal of Business Administration.
16. Population and Housing Census report, 2019, Tehran. https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/census/documents/Iran/Iran-2011-Census-Results.pdf.
17. Rafiei, A., & Zanganeh, M. (2014). Ethnicity and Identity Among the Kurds: Case of Kermanshah. Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 5(20), 1727-173
18. Rahmati, A., & Khosravi, H. (2020). Analysis of Landscape Identity with Emphasis on Natural Attractions in Kermanshah Province, Iran. Applied Geography, 121, 102229.
19. Rahmati, A., et al. (2018). An Investigation of Tourism Potentials in Hot Springs in Bisotun, Iran. Environmental Challenges, 6(2), 19-32.
20. Rakibin, M. (2015). Cultural and Historical Attraction in Kermanshah, Iran. IJAR, 1(9), 383-391.
21. Ritchie, B. W., & Crouch, G. I. (2003). The Competitive Destination: A Sustainable Tourism Perspective. CABI.
22. Sharpley, R., & Telfer, D. J. (2002). Tourism and Development: Concepts and Issues. Channel View Publications.
23. UNWTO. (2017). UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2017 Edition. United Nations World Tourism Organization.
24. UNWTO. (2021). UNWTO Tourism Highlights 2017 Edition. United Nations World Tourism Organization.
25. Vaezi, R., Chekin, M., Aslipour, H. (2018). Policy-Making Challenges in the Field of Health Tourism in Iran. Tourism Management Studies, 13(41), 1-40. doi: 10.22054/tms.2018.19752.15481126 [In Persian] Vaezi,et al.2018 Wang, K., Xu, H., & Huang, L. (2020). Wellness tourism and spatial stigma: A case study of Bama, China. Tourism Management, 78, 104039.
26. Weaver, D.B., Lawton, L.J., 2014. Tourism Management, fifth ed. John Wiley & Sons, Milton, QLD, Australia.
27. Whitmore, R., Crooks, V. A., & Snyder, J. (2015). Ethics of care in medical tourism: Informal caregivers' narratives of responsibility, vulnerability and mutuality. Health & Place, 35, 113-118.