Thematic Tourism; A new Concept for Developing Tourism (Case Study: Rural Areas of Meyami County)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Tourism Managment, Faculty of Tourism Management, University of Semnan, Semnan, Iran.

2 PhD Student, Department of Tourism Managment, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabatabai University, Iran.

3 MSc., Department of Tourism Managment, Faculty of Tourism Management, University of Semnan, Semnan, Iran.

10.32598/JSRD.03.02.06

Abstract

Purpose: the purpose of the present research is to determine and identify various forms of thematic tourism and implementation strategies in rural areas of Meyami County for proper planning respecting the current market structure and the region’s tourism potentials.
Methods: the present research applied a case study method using various instruments including observation, interview, as well as document references. Interviews were conducted with 30 local stakeholders and experts up to the saturation.
Results: the research led to a set of developing subthemes embodied in the main themes of cultural-historical, pilgrimage, rural life, agriculture and food, industry, health, physical activity, landscape and natural systems, and geology. Respecting each determined theme, a developable tourism form and a set of follow-up operational strategies were provided.
Conclusion: considering the region Caravanserais’ capacities, enhancing tourism infrastructure, designing, developing and marketing of particular forms of tourism for the understudied city, focusing on supplementary plans along with thematic tourism forms, cooperating with influencers such as bloggers, journalists, and even famous tour leaders are critical factors in developing thematic tourism in the rural areas of Meyami County.

Keywords


Ablania Country. (2014-2020). Project of Thematic tourism development through the preservation of Polyphonic music. Retrieved from Ablania:
Bader, S. (2017). A New Concept in Promoting Tourism: Thematic Evenings. Journal of Media Research, 2(28), 146-156.
Cervinka, M., Svajdova, L., & Tykva, T. (2014). Thematic Tourism VS. Mass Tourism in the Czech Republic. The Business of Tourism, 13, 95-107.
Danaeifard, H. (2013). Theory strategies. Tehran: SAMT publication.
Danarifard, H., Alvani, S. M., & Azar, A. (2007). A qualitative research methodology in management: a comprehensive approach. Tehran: Eshraghi, Safar.
Djurasevic, S., Bulatovic, I., & Stranjancevic, A. (2016). Thematic tourism as an important segment in the business modern tour orators. Research gate.
Ðurašević.S. (2014). Thematic Tourism as an important segment in the business of modern tour operators. The Business of Tourism, 13, 109-117.
Europeancommission. (2014-2020). Green paper for the promotion of thematic tourism in the Mediterranean Basin. Retrieved from
He-you, S. (2018). Integration of Creative Tourism and Theme Tourism:Driving Factors and Achieving Path——A Case Study of the Horse Culture Themed Creative Tourism in Prairie Areas. Geography and Geo- KInformation Science(05).
Lapochkina, V. (2015). Key aspects of the formation and development prospects of literary thematic tourism: national and international experience. Research gate.
Lee, J., & Lee, K. (2018). A study on the Behavior response of Emotional response and Local image for the Experience value by the Theme tourism. Tourism Management Association (관광경영학회), 82, 439-472.
Nagy, K. (2012). Heritage Tourism, Thematic Routes and Possibilities for Innovation. Theory Methodology Practice (TMP), Faculty of Economics, University of Miskolc, 8(01), 46-53.
Robinson, P., Heitmann, S., & Dieke, P. U. C. (2011). Research Themes for Tourism: CABI.
Seyed Imami, K. (2005). An investigation of mass media. Tehran: Soroush publication.
Stake, R. E. (1995). The art of case study research. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.
The Expediency Discernment Council. (2005). The Islamic Republic of Iran’s 20-Year Vision Plan. Iran
The Supreme Leader. (2015). General Policies of the Sixth economic, social and cultural development plan of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran
World Economic Forum. (2019). The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report. Retrieved from
World Tourism Organization. (2018). Tourism Highlights. Retrieved from
World Tourism Organization. (2019). Tourism Highlights. Retrieved from
World Tourism Organization, & European Travel Commission. (2017). Handbook on Marketing Transnational Tourism Themes and Routes: World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Los Angeles: SAGE.