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Volume 38, Issue 4 (2023)
GeoRes 2023, 38(4): 533-539 |
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Received: 2023/11/22 | Accepted: 2023/12/19 | Published: 2023/12/30
Received: 2023/11/22 | Accepted: 2023/12/19 | Published: 2023/12/30
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Aghanasab A, Adibi Saadinezhad F, Arbabi A. A Suitable Tourism Model Based on Good Urban Governance for the Chitgar Tourism Complex. GeoRes 2023; 38 (4) :533-539
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1- Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Islamic Azad University, Islamshahr Branch, Islamshahr, Iran
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Introduction
According to the definition of the World Tourism Organization, tourism refers to the activities of individuals who travel and stay in places outside their usual environment for less than one consecutive year for purposes of leisure, work, or other objectives, provided that the purpose of travel is not related to profit-making or paid employment in the visited destination [Herman et al., 2016]. Tourism can be conceived as a wide spectrum of individuals, businesses, organizations, and places that combine to deliver the travel experience. Tourism is a multidimensional and multifaceted activity that affects many lives and different types of economic activities [Netto, 2009]. It is a highly complex phenomenon, which can only be fully understood through the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach [Candela & Figini, 2012].
The growth of the tourism industry has had a significant impact on the economic development of dependent industries such as accommodation, transportation, leisure, services, and hospitality. In many countries, tourism has become an important tool for regional economic growth and development [Pazoki et al., 2021]. Telfer and Sharpley [2016] state that many developing countries attempt to capitalize on the tourism industry to stimulate their economies through foreign investment, capital inflows, and foreign exchange surpluses. However, since the 1990s, governments in developing countries have begun to participate actively in tourism planning and development. Prior to this, their involvement had been limited to certain stages of planning and development, with no formal structure or procedure. Even at that time, the benefits of tourism development for citizens in developing countries were undeniable, although such benefits were mostly generated through small-scale, low-skill employment [Tosun & Jenkin, 1996]. The more profitable businesses in the tourism sector of developing countries often belong to foreign investors or a limited group of local elites.
Notably, the rapid growth of the tourism industry transforms destination regions; however, unplanned and unmanaged tourism development can ultimately lead to environmental degradation and socio-economic imbalances among local populations [Green et al., 1990]. In fact, the growing interest of people in visiting civilizations, cultures, and fostering mutual understanding, peace, and global reconstruction has led to an astonishing expansion of international tourism, accounting for 10.9% of total global GDP, 10.7% of total global employment, 11.4% of total investment, and 11% of tax revenue [Rahimpour, 2013]. In recent years, tourism has experienced rapid and diversified growth, becoming a strategic pillar for national economic development. According to estimates from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism accounted for $7.6 trillion in industry value and 10.2% of global GDP in 2016, generating significant employment opportunities worldwide. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicate that by 2030, the tourism industry will continue to grow at an average rate of 3.3%, with remarkable increases in tourism consumption, thereby creating vast opportunities for expansion [Li et al., 2020].
Tourism sector management must incorporate all managerial principles that align with societal ethics, social values, and environmental sustainability in order to empower visitors and travelers to benefit from tourism activities. In this process, local communities gain economic, social, and political advantages [Astawa et al., 2018]. In the gradually emerging tourism markets, policymakers and institutional actors constantly explore strategies to establish a meaningful market presence based on the complex behaviors of tourists [Reinhold et al., 2017]. Within this context, the issue of good governance in tourism management emerges as critical. Good governance refers to governance systems that are transparent and accountable. All developing countries must consistently strive for better administration. According to the European :union:, good governance entails transparent and accountable management in a country to ensure fair and sustainable economic and social development. Another definition emphasizes that good governance includes respect for politicians and human rights institutions, democratic principles, and the rule of law. Moreover, good governance is particularly linked to the management of public resources for sustainable economic systems and fair distribution. Fundamental principles of good global governance include respect for human rights and women’s rights, adherence to the rule of law, political freedom, accountability, transparency, and administrative efficiency [Leitão, 2010].
In relation to the role of good governance in tourism, both domestic and international studies have been conducted. For example, Kazemian et al. [2021] noted that in developed countries, urban management particularly in metropolitan areas is based on the theory of good urban governance to address urban management challenges. Ziaee and Ardakani [2021], Hejazi and Javadi [2019], and Hosseini and Taghvaee [2020] argued that one of the key pathways to achieving sustainable tourism development is the implementation of good governance. Esmailzadeh [2023] highlight the direct relationship between good urban governance and sustainable tourism development. Gispert and Clavé [2020], in their study, classify seven dimensions of tourism governance (participation, cohesion, accountability, effectiveness, knowledge/quality, openness, and simplification) through the construction of a semantic network based on stakeholders’ perceptions of their practices.
Competition in tourism among cities and countries has driven planners and researchers toward developing global, regional, national, and local models. This trend has intensified since the late 20th century, leading to the creation of different models for measuring destination competitiveness across various regions of the world. Consequently, countries and destinations strive to improve existing indicators to secure stronger positions in competition and outperform their counterparts. Domestic tourism in Iran has high demand due to cultural characteristics, international political issues, as well as inflation and currency rates. Establishing a framework for evaluating the competitiveness of domestic tourism destinations in Iran using locally adapted indicators is of great importance for policymakers, stakeholders, businesses, and individuals in the tourism sector. It can also provide valuable guidance for decision-makers. Nonetheless, no domestic tourism model fully tailored to the local characteristics of Iranian destinations has yet been developed [Boroumand & Karimi, 2020].
The purpose of this study is to present an appropriate tourism model based on good urban governance in order to create tourism-related employment opportunities and enhance the welfare and satisfaction of stakeholders.
Methodology
This applied research was conducted in 2023 using documentary and library studies combined with fieldwork, focusing on a case study of the Chitgar Tourism Complex in Tehran. The dimensions and criteria influencing good tourism governance in the Chitgar complex were identified through qualitative content analysis of previous research and existing theories in this field.
To examine the influential criteria of tourism governance based on the current situation from the perspective of the public, a questionnaire of 12 questions was designed, covering 9 dimensions and 22 criteria. The questionnaire consisted of two parts of demographic information and items related to the assessment of the targeted indicators. Responses were collected using a five-point Likert scale with the options: “Highly Desirable,” “Desirable,” “Moderate,” “Undesirable,” and “Highly Undesirable.” The questionnaire was validated using the Delphi method, with experts and specialists in urban tourism selected through purposive non-random sampling reviewing the instrument. Based on expert feedback, 3 questions were removed, resulting in a final questionnaire of 9 items (n=9).
For the fieldwork, respondents were selected from ordinary individuals and visitors to the Chitgar Tourism Complex using simple random sampling, whereby all members of the population had an equal chance of being chosen. Questionnaires were distributed among these participants.
The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula (n=310). The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated through a pilot test with 50 respondents, aiming to assess both content validity and the comprehensibility of the questions for the target population (general public). Responses were reviewed to check consistency with the research objectives, and some items were revised to better align the answers with all research objectives and variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (0.81).
Data analysis followed a multi-stage process in which the data collected from the sample population were summarized, coded, categorized, and ultimately processed to enable various analyses and the identification of relationships, thereby addressing the research questions. Statistical analysis was conducted using both descriptive and inferential methods, including a one-sample t-test, performed with SPSS version 26. In the one-sample t-test, if the mean of any indicator was lower than the theoretical mean and showed a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.05), it indicated that the indicator in question was not of desirable quality in terms of tourism governance within the study area.
Findings
Among the respondents, 32% were female and 68% were male; 50.85% were single and 49.15% were married. The highest level of education belonged to undergraduate degrees (71.77%). Most respondents (71.55%) had an income of more than 50 million IRR. Additionally, 85.32% of the sample were aged between 25 and 30 years.
The skewness value was –0.935 and kurtosis was 1.025, both within the range of –2 to +2. Since more than 65% of the scores followed a normal distribution, parametric tests were employed to evaluate the questions.
The good governance indicators extracted from previous studies included participation, transparency, rule of law, accountability, justice, responsibility, supervision, efficiency and effectiveness, and specialization. For the assessment of each indicator, a number of questions were designed. After evaluation through the questionnaire, the desirability of each dimension was analyzed using a one-sample t-test.
Descriptive information across the different dimensions indicated that the sample mean for all dimensions was below the desirable level.
According to the results of the one-sample t-test, the level of desirability for all examined dimensions was lower than the test value (Test Value=3). However, considering the relative distance from the test value, the dimensions of rule of law, justice, and transparency showed the highest levels of desirability compared to the other dimensions. Conversely, responsibility, accountability, and specialization had the lowest levels of desirability. Therefore, these dimensions should be prioritized for intervention and improvement in order to enhance governance quality more effectively than the other dimensions studied.
Discussion
In the dimension of participation, criteria such as establishing councils for public involvement, voter turnout, creating public associations composed of elected representatives, and selecting a people’s representative by decision-makers were not considered. Democracy is fundamentally based on public participation and is even regarded as an important criterion for development in different economic and social sectors. Therefore, the low level of tourist participation in the planning process of the complex should be addressed, and strategies for improvement must be proposed. Public participation is essentially a tool that enables community members to contribute to policymaking and planning that affect their living environment. In the study by Ziaee and Ardakani [2021], it is suggested that active participation of citizens, stakeholders, and all actors involved in tourism development is essential for improving participation. Similarly, Sharifzadeh et al. [2019] emphasize the importance of public participation in enhancing urban governance and warned about imbalanced impacts when this criterion is neglected.
The mean value of the second dimension, transparency, was also below the desirable level. In other words, criteria such as accessibility of information for public awareness and citizen access to executive institutions were not adequately addressed by decision-makers. Transparency refers to the free flow of information and its easy accessibility for all people. Public knowledge about adopted decisions and how they are implemented is a crucial step toward greater transparency; thus, barriers to this component should be eliminated. In this regard, Ziaee and Ardakani [2021] have argued that transparency plays a decisive role in achieving sustainable tourism development through good governance. Timely and efficient responses from organizations involved in the tourism industry are necessary for improving this variable. Rezvani et al. [2018] identify weaknesses in transparency restoration and unequal access of certain groups to information as factors that may undermine tourism governance performance.
The mean value of the rule of law dimension was also below the desirable level in this study. In other words, criteria such as the presence and implementation of legal frameworks and public access to legal institutions were insufficiently considered by decision-makers. Promoting laws through public media is an effective approach to improving this criterion. In this regard, Ziaee and Ardakani [2021] recommend the use of public media such as radio and television for fostering compliance with laws and regulations.
Social justice is derived from principles of equality, rule of law, rights allocation, and balance within cities. Equality and fairness are among the most important aspects and the core meaning of justice [Jafarinia, 2019]. In the justice dimension, criteria such as involving women in decision-making, incorporating the views of religious minorities, and implementing projects for the poor showed shortcomings on the part of decision-makers. Justice implies recognition of equal rights for all individuals in society, regardless of gender, age, or other characteristics, ensuring equal access to societal benefits. Neglecting any of these elements destabilizes the democratic foundations of society. According to Aminian et al. [2017], efforts should be made in tourism-related organizations and institutions to promote legality and implement justice in the best way possible. These two indicators, beyond urban management and future planning, also contribute to attracting and retaining skilled human resources.
In the accountability dimension, criteria such as the responsiveness of executive institutions to public needs and the dissemination of relevant information for public awareness require special attention. Accountability in society refers to institutions being answerable to people regarding their rights. Based on the principle of the rule of law, all authorities and governing institutions are obligated to account for their actions and decisions to the public and oversight bodies [Hassanvand et al., 2015]. Improving this criterion strengthens governance and thereby enhances tourism development outcomes in the studied complex.
In the responsibility dimension, criteria such as assuming responsibility for project implementation, following up on project completion, and taking full responsibility for tasks by government institutions were rated as less desirable in the Chitgar Tourism Complex. Honest performance, acknowledgment of mistakes by officials, and implementing mechanisms for public communication enhance the responsibility of officials. According to the findings of this study, Momeni et al. [2020] have identified responsibility as the variable most strongly associated with good governance.
Regarding efficiency and effectiveness, timely project implementation, optimal service delivery, and the achievement of final program objectives by governmental institutions in the Chitgar Tourism Complex did not reach sufficient quality. To improve efficiency and effectiveness, a balanced systemic approach should be established at both higher and lower managerial levels.
Finally, in the specialization dimension, greater attention should be paid to the use of relevant experts by decision-makers to achieve the best results. A major problem in systematic management is the lack of reliance on specialists and the mismatch between expertise and assigned tasks. Naturally, such mismatches lead to disorganization, failure to achieve expected outcomes, and ultimately, the inefficiency of the management system.
Conclusion
The governance model for tourism development in the Chitgar Recreational Complex can be achieved through nine dimensions: participation, transparency, rule of law, accountability, justice, responsibility, supervision, efficiency and effectiveness, and specialization. Each of these dimensions encompasses specific criteria, and the enhancement of each criterion contributes to the improvement of the respective dimension and, consequently, to the overall advancement of tourism in the Chitgar Complex.
Acknowledgments: None reported by the authors.
Ethical Approval: None reported by the authors.
Conflicts of Interest: None reported by the authors.
Authors’ Contributions: Aghanasab A (first author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (35%); Adibi Saadinezhad F (second author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (35%); Arbabi A (third author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (30%)
Funding: None reported by the authors.
According to the definition of the World Tourism Organization, tourism refers to the activities of individuals who travel and stay in places outside their usual environment for less than one consecutive year for purposes of leisure, work, or other objectives, provided that the purpose of travel is not related to profit-making or paid employment in the visited destination [Herman et al., 2016]. Tourism can be conceived as a wide spectrum of individuals, businesses, organizations, and places that combine to deliver the travel experience. Tourism is a multidimensional and multifaceted activity that affects many lives and different types of economic activities [Netto, 2009]. It is a highly complex phenomenon, which can only be fully understood through the adoption of a multidisciplinary approach [Candela & Figini, 2012].
The growth of the tourism industry has had a significant impact on the economic development of dependent industries such as accommodation, transportation, leisure, services, and hospitality. In many countries, tourism has become an important tool for regional economic growth and development [Pazoki et al., 2021]. Telfer and Sharpley [2016] state that many developing countries attempt to capitalize on the tourism industry to stimulate their economies through foreign investment, capital inflows, and foreign exchange surpluses. However, since the 1990s, governments in developing countries have begun to participate actively in tourism planning and development. Prior to this, their involvement had been limited to certain stages of planning and development, with no formal structure or procedure. Even at that time, the benefits of tourism development for citizens in developing countries were undeniable, although such benefits were mostly generated through small-scale, low-skill employment [Tosun & Jenkin, 1996]. The more profitable businesses in the tourism sector of developing countries often belong to foreign investors or a limited group of local elites.
Notably, the rapid growth of the tourism industry transforms destination regions; however, unplanned and unmanaged tourism development can ultimately lead to environmental degradation and socio-economic imbalances among local populations [Green et al., 1990]. In fact, the growing interest of people in visiting civilizations, cultures, and fostering mutual understanding, peace, and global reconstruction has led to an astonishing expansion of international tourism, accounting for 10.9% of total global GDP, 10.7% of total global employment, 11.4% of total investment, and 11% of tax revenue [Rahimpour, 2013]. In recent years, tourism has experienced rapid and diversified growth, becoming a strategic pillar for national economic development. According to estimates from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism accounted for $7.6 trillion in industry value and 10.2% of global GDP in 2016, generating significant employment opportunities worldwide. Data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) indicate that by 2030, the tourism industry will continue to grow at an average rate of 3.3%, with remarkable increases in tourism consumption, thereby creating vast opportunities for expansion [Li et al., 2020].
Tourism sector management must incorporate all managerial principles that align with societal ethics, social values, and environmental sustainability in order to empower visitors and travelers to benefit from tourism activities. In this process, local communities gain economic, social, and political advantages [Astawa et al., 2018]. In the gradually emerging tourism markets, policymakers and institutional actors constantly explore strategies to establish a meaningful market presence based on the complex behaviors of tourists [Reinhold et al., 2017]. Within this context, the issue of good governance in tourism management emerges as critical. Good governance refers to governance systems that are transparent and accountable. All developing countries must consistently strive for better administration. According to the European :union:, good governance entails transparent and accountable management in a country to ensure fair and sustainable economic and social development. Another definition emphasizes that good governance includes respect for politicians and human rights institutions, democratic principles, and the rule of law. Moreover, good governance is particularly linked to the management of public resources for sustainable economic systems and fair distribution. Fundamental principles of good global governance include respect for human rights and women’s rights, adherence to the rule of law, political freedom, accountability, transparency, and administrative efficiency [Leitão, 2010].
In relation to the role of good governance in tourism, both domestic and international studies have been conducted. For example, Kazemian et al. [2021] noted that in developed countries, urban management particularly in metropolitan areas is based on the theory of good urban governance to address urban management challenges. Ziaee and Ardakani [2021], Hejazi and Javadi [2019], and Hosseini and Taghvaee [2020] argued that one of the key pathways to achieving sustainable tourism development is the implementation of good governance. Esmailzadeh [2023] highlight the direct relationship between good urban governance and sustainable tourism development. Gispert and Clavé [2020], in their study, classify seven dimensions of tourism governance (participation, cohesion, accountability, effectiveness, knowledge/quality, openness, and simplification) through the construction of a semantic network based on stakeholders’ perceptions of their practices.
Competition in tourism among cities and countries has driven planners and researchers toward developing global, regional, national, and local models. This trend has intensified since the late 20th century, leading to the creation of different models for measuring destination competitiveness across various regions of the world. Consequently, countries and destinations strive to improve existing indicators to secure stronger positions in competition and outperform their counterparts. Domestic tourism in Iran has high demand due to cultural characteristics, international political issues, as well as inflation and currency rates. Establishing a framework for evaluating the competitiveness of domestic tourism destinations in Iran using locally adapted indicators is of great importance for policymakers, stakeholders, businesses, and individuals in the tourism sector. It can also provide valuable guidance for decision-makers. Nonetheless, no domestic tourism model fully tailored to the local characteristics of Iranian destinations has yet been developed [Boroumand & Karimi, 2020].
The purpose of this study is to present an appropriate tourism model based on good urban governance in order to create tourism-related employment opportunities and enhance the welfare and satisfaction of stakeholders.
Methodology
This applied research was conducted in 2023 using documentary and library studies combined with fieldwork, focusing on a case study of the Chitgar Tourism Complex in Tehran. The dimensions and criteria influencing good tourism governance in the Chitgar complex were identified through qualitative content analysis of previous research and existing theories in this field.
To examine the influential criteria of tourism governance based on the current situation from the perspective of the public, a questionnaire of 12 questions was designed, covering 9 dimensions and 22 criteria. The questionnaire consisted of two parts of demographic information and items related to the assessment of the targeted indicators. Responses were collected using a five-point Likert scale with the options: “Highly Desirable,” “Desirable,” “Moderate,” “Undesirable,” and “Highly Undesirable.” The questionnaire was validated using the Delphi method, with experts and specialists in urban tourism selected through purposive non-random sampling reviewing the instrument. Based on expert feedback, 3 questions were removed, resulting in a final questionnaire of 9 items (n=9).
For the fieldwork, respondents were selected from ordinary individuals and visitors to the Chitgar Tourism Complex using simple random sampling, whereby all members of the population had an equal chance of being chosen. Questionnaires were distributed among these participants.
The sample size was determined using Cochran’s formula (n=310). The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated through a pilot test with 50 respondents, aiming to assess both content validity and the comprehensibility of the questions for the target population (general public). Responses were reviewed to check consistency with the research objectives, and some items were revised to better align the answers with all research objectives and variables. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed using Cronbach’s alpha (0.81).
Data analysis followed a multi-stage process in which the data collected from the sample population were summarized, coded, categorized, and ultimately processed to enable various analyses and the identification of relationships, thereby addressing the research questions. Statistical analysis was conducted using both descriptive and inferential methods, including a one-sample t-test, performed with SPSS version 26. In the one-sample t-test, if the mean of any indicator was lower than the theoretical mean and showed a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.05), it indicated that the indicator in question was not of desirable quality in terms of tourism governance within the study area.
Findings
Among the respondents, 32% were female and 68% were male; 50.85% were single and 49.15% were married. The highest level of education belonged to undergraduate degrees (71.77%). Most respondents (71.55%) had an income of more than 50 million IRR. Additionally, 85.32% of the sample were aged between 25 and 30 years.
The skewness value was –0.935 and kurtosis was 1.025, both within the range of –2 to +2. Since more than 65% of the scores followed a normal distribution, parametric tests were employed to evaluate the questions.
The good governance indicators extracted from previous studies included participation, transparency, rule of law, accountability, justice, responsibility, supervision, efficiency and effectiveness, and specialization. For the assessment of each indicator, a number of questions were designed. After evaluation through the questionnaire, the desirability of each dimension was analyzed using a one-sample t-test.
Descriptive information across the different dimensions indicated that the sample mean for all dimensions was below the desirable level.
According to the results of the one-sample t-test, the level of desirability for all examined dimensions was lower than the test value (Test Value=3). However, considering the relative distance from the test value, the dimensions of rule of law, justice, and transparency showed the highest levels of desirability compared to the other dimensions. Conversely, responsibility, accountability, and specialization had the lowest levels of desirability. Therefore, these dimensions should be prioritized for intervention and improvement in order to enhance governance quality more effectively than the other dimensions studied.
Discussion
In the dimension of participation, criteria such as establishing councils for public involvement, voter turnout, creating public associations composed of elected representatives, and selecting a people’s representative by decision-makers were not considered. Democracy is fundamentally based on public participation and is even regarded as an important criterion for development in different economic and social sectors. Therefore, the low level of tourist participation in the planning process of the complex should be addressed, and strategies for improvement must be proposed. Public participation is essentially a tool that enables community members to contribute to policymaking and planning that affect their living environment. In the study by Ziaee and Ardakani [2021], it is suggested that active participation of citizens, stakeholders, and all actors involved in tourism development is essential for improving participation. Similarly, Sharifzadeh et al. [2019] emphasize the importance of public participation in enhancing urban governance and warned about imbalanced impacts when this criterion is neglected.
The mean value of the second dimension, transparency, was also below the desirable level. In other words, criteria such as accessibility of information for public awareness and citizen access to executive institutions were not adequately addressed by decision-makers. Transparency refers to the free flow of information and its easy accessibility for all people. Public knowledge about adopted decisions and how they are implemented is a crucial step toward greater transparency; thus, barriers to this component should be eliminated. In this regard, Ziaee and Ardakani [2021] have argued that transparency plays a decisive role in achieving sustainable tourism development through good governance. Timely and efficient responses from organizations involved in the tourism industry are necessary for improving this variable. Rezvani et al. [2018] identify weaknesses in transparency restoration and unequal access of certain groups to information as factors that may undermine tourism governance performance.
The mean value of the rule of law dimension was also below the desirable level in this study. In other words, criteria such as the presence and implementation of legal frameworks and public access to legal institutions were insufficiently considered by decision-makers. Promoting laws through public media is an effective approach to improving this criterion. In this regard, Ziaee and Ardakani [2021] recommend the use of public media such as radio and television for fostering compliance with laws and regulations.
Social justice is derived from principles of equality, rule of law, rights allocation, and balance within cities. Equality and fairness are among the most important aspects and the core meaning of justice [Jafarinia, 2019]. In the justice dimension, criteria such as involving women in decision-making, incorporating the views of religious minorities, and implementing projects for the poor showed shortcomings on the part of decision-makers. Justice implies recognition of equal rights for all individuals in society, regardless of gender, age, or other characteristics, ensuring equal access to societal benefits. Neglecting any of these elements destabilizes the democratic foundations of society. According to Aminian et al. [2017], efforts should be made in tourism-related organizations and institutions to promote legality and implement justice in the best way possible. These two indicators, beyond urban management and future planning, also contribute to attracting and retaining skilled human resources.
In the accountability dimension, criteria such as the responsiveness of executive institutions to public needs and the dissemination of relevant information for public awareness require special attention. Accountability in society refers to institutions being answerable to people regarding their rights. Based on the principle of the rule of law, all authorities and governing institutions are obligated to account for their actions and decisions to the public and oversight bodies [Hassanvand et al., 2015]. Improving this criterion strengthens governance and thereby enhances tourism development outcomes in the studied complex.
In the responsibility dimension, criteria such as assuming responsibility for project implementation, following up on project completion, and taking full responsibility for tasks by government institutions were rated as less desirable in the Chitgar Tourism Complex. Honest performance, acknowledgment of mistakes by officials, and implementing mechanisms for public communication enhance the responsibility of officials. According to the findings of this study, Momeni et al. [2020] have identified responsibility as the variable most strongly associated with good governance.
Regarding efficiency and effectiveness, timely project implementation, optimal service delivery, and the achievement of final program objectives by governmental institutions in the Chitgar Tourism Complex did not reach sufficient quality. To improve efficiency and effectiveness, a balanced systemic approach should be established at both higher and lower managerial levels.
Finally, in the specialization dimension, greater attention should be paid to the use of relevant experts by decision-makers to achieve the best results. A major problem in systematic management is the lack of reliance on specialists and the mismatch between expertise and assigned tasks. Naturally, such mismatches lead to disorganization, failure to achieve expected outcomes, and ultimately, the inefficiency of the management system.
Conclusion
The governance model for tourism development in the Chitgar Recreational Complex can be achieved through nine dimensions: participation, transparency, rule of law, accountability, justice, responsibility, supervision, efficiency and effectiveness, and specialization. Each of these dimensions encompasses specific criteria, and the enhancement of each criterion contributes to the improvement of the respective dimension and, consequently, to the overall advancement of tourism in the Chitgar Complex.
Acknowledgments: None reported by the authors.
Ethical Approval: None reported by the authors.
Conflicts of Interest: None reported by the authors.
Authors’ Contributions: Aghanasab A (first author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (35%); Adibi Saadinezhad F (second author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (35%); Arbabi A (third author): Introduction Writer/Methodologist/Main Researcher/Statistical Analyst/Discussion Writer (30%)
Funding: None reported by the authors.
Keywords:
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