Abstract: (44 Views)
Introduction and Objectives: Mountain sports destinations have great attractions for tourists due to their special natural and physical characteristics, and one of the ways to contribute to sustainable development in these areas is the development of responsible tourism. The aim of the present study was to develop a responsible tourism development model in mountain-based sports destinations.
Methodology: The research method was qualitative, with a Grounded Theory approach and a semi-structured interview as the instrument. The research population included experts in the field of mountain sports tourism, including professors, faculty members, and researchers, and the sampling method was purposive. The validity of the interviews was confirmed by sports tourism experts and the reliability was confirmed by the two-coder agreement method (80 percent). The findings from 19 interviews were analyzed by coding and presenting a model in MAXQDA 2020 software.
Results: The findings showed that the causal conditions included the lack of smooth paths and guide signs, the culture of tourists and the local community, privatization, and security. Background conditions included lack of attention to carrying capacity, inadequate accommodation, catering and transportation infrastructure in these destinations. Intervening conditions included price instability, lack of waste management system and lack of rational policy making. Also, strategies included holding sports events, training and education of specialized human resources, increasing interactions and coordination between related organizations, local community-based planning and outcomes included improving facilities and developing the regional economy, observing the principles of sustainable development and preserving cultural and natural heritage.
Discussion and Conclusion: According to the findings, it is suggested that sports events in mountain destinations should be held with a focus on responsible tourism and local community-based planning should include training and hiring human resources.
Methodology: The research method was qualitative, with a Grounded Theory approach and a semi-structured interview as the instrument. The research population included experts in the field of mountain sports tourism, including professors, faculty members, and researchers, and the sampling method was purposive. The validity of the interviews was confirmed by sports tourism experts and the reliability was confirmed by the two-coder agreement method (80 percent). The findings from 19 interviews were analyzed by coding and presenting a model in MAXQDA 2020 software.
Results: The findings showed that the causal conditions included the lack of smooth paths and guide signs, the culture of tourists and the local community, privatization, and security. Background conditions included lack of attention to carrying capacity, inadequate accommodation, catering and transportation infrastructure in these destinations. Intervening conditions included price instability, lack of waste management system and lack of rational policy making. Also, strategies included holding sports events, training and education of specialized human resources, increasing interactions and coordination between related organizations, local community-based planning and outcomes included improving facilities and developing the regional economy, observing the principles of sustainable development and preserving cultural and natural heritage.
Discussion and Conclusion: According to the findings, it is suggested that sports events in mountain destinations should be held with a focus on responsible tourism and local community-based planning should include training and hiring human resources.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
sport management
Received: 2025/02/28 | Accepted: 2025/09/27 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/09/27
Received: 2025/02/28 | Accepted: 2025/09/27 | ePublished ahead of print: 2025/09/27
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