Volume 14, Issue 53 (Fall 2025)
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Aflatoonian B, Majdi A A, Mirzaei H, Aflatoonian B. Investigating the Impact of Spatial Cohesion on Rural Tourism Development in Different Regions of Iran: A Case Study of 27 Selected Villages. serd 2025; 14 (53) : 7
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4055-en.html
URL: http://serd.khu.ac.ir/article-1-4055-en.html
1- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
2- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran ,majdi@um.ac.ir
3- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
4- Department of Project Management Engineering, Payame Noor University of Kerman, Iran
2- Department of Social Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran ,
3- Department of Sociology, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Iran
4- Department of Project Management Engineering, Payame Noor University of Kerman, Iran
Abstract: (2197 Views)
Objective: The tourism industry can enhance villages' economies and contribute to national development by increasing income and creating jobs. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between the geographical position and spatial interconnectedness of villages and their tourism performance.
Methods: This qualitative study examines 27 villages across Iran. Data analysis involved simulating the selected villages using CityEngine software. Maps were prepared using OpenStreetMap and georeferenced mapping. The statistical population consisted of scholarly works in Persian and English related to rural tourism and development. The sample included nine Persian and three English articles, selected through purposive sampling. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to examine frequency differences, and Somers’ d correlation test in SPSS 28 was employed to analyze the association between ordinal variables.
Results: Tourism conditions across economic, cultural, and physical dimensions were found to be unfavorable, and neglect of local issues occurred significantly more than expected. Villages with weak spatial cohesion experienced poorer tourism outcomes. Increasing spatial cohesion was associated with improvements in economic, cultural, and physical aspects of tourism. This relationship showed a strong statistical correlation.
Conclusions: The results highlight the crucial role of spatial cohesion in improving tourism conditions. Failure to consider this factor can lead to social fragmentation and social withdrawal in rural areas. Therefore, managerial planning is needed to strengthen tourism in villages with weak spatial integration. Additionally, tourism awareness efforts should target both visitors and residents; a lack of coordination between these groups can hinder tourism growth. Achieving positive economic, social, and cultural transformation in rural areas requires innovative research tailored to local conditions.
Methods: This qualitative study examines 27 villages across Iran. Data analysis involved simulating the selected villages using CityEngine software. Maps were prepared using OpenStreetMap and georeferenced mapping. The statistical population consisted of scholarly works in Persian and English related to rural tourism and development. The sample included nine Persian and three English articles, selected through purposive sampling. A chi-square goodness-of-fit test was used to examine frequency differences, and Somers’ d correlation test in SPSS 28 was employed to analyze the association between ordinal variables.
Results: Tourism conditions across economic, cultural, and physical dimensions were found to be unfavorable, and neglect of local issues occurred significantly more than expected. Villages with weak spatial cohesion experienced poorer tourism outcomes. Increasing spatial cohesion was associated with improvements in economic, cultural, and physical aspects of tourism. This relationship showed a strong statistical correlation.
Conclusions: The results highlight the crucial role of spatial cohesion in improving tourism conditions. Failure to consider this factor can lead to social fragmentation and social withdrawal in rural areas. Therefore, managerial planning is needed to strengthen tourism in villages with weak spatial integration. Additionally, tourism awareness efforts should target both visitors and residents; a lack of coordination between these groups can hinder tourism growth. Achieving positive economic, social, and cultural transformation in rural areas requires innovative research tailored to local conditions.
Article number: 7
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