List of Articles
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Open Access Article
1 - The Effect of Perceived Service Quality, Satisfaction and Trust of Health Tourists on Their Revisiting and Reusing the Hospitals and
Health tourism is becoming a developing sector in the tourism industry. It involves economic grounds; creates job opportunities; introduces different cultures; and even holds political interests for the countries. Health tourism has many economic benefits for the countr MoreHealth tourism is becoming a developing sector in the tourism industry. It involves economic grounds; creates job opportunities; introduces different cultures; and even holds political interests for the countries. Health tourism has many economic benefits for the countries that are active in this industry. Health tourism is an emerging field, and there are serious competitions among countries that try to attract health tourists and keep them satisfied during their stay. This study aims to investigate the effect of perceived service quality, satisfaction, and trust of health tourists revisiting and reusing the hospitals and health centers in Mashhad. Data were collected using a questionnaire. Based on a judgmental sampling method, 206 people were selected from the international health tourists. Structural equation modeling was employed. Results confirmed there was a direct and positive relation between the perceived service quality and the customers’ satisfaction. Also, the hypothesis proved the positive effect of customers’ satisfaction on their trusting healthcare centers and their staff. Results also approved the effect of customers’ trust on their future decisions to return to the same places of treatments. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
2 - Analysis of Tourists’ Social Responsibility in Tourist Villages (Case study area: Tourist Villages of Khaf Township)
Hamdollah Sojasi QeidariInappropriate behavior and odd recreational activities by tourists may have direct or indirect negative impact on the destination. Reducing the negative effects of tourism on the environment is a priority and main concern. Accordingly, a responsible environmental behavi MoreInappropriate behavior and odd recreational activities by tourists may have direct or indirect negative impact on the destination. Reducing the negative effects of tourism on the environment is a priority and main concern. Accordingly, a responsible environmental behavior is important and necessary while achieving sustainable tourism development. This study was conducted in the spring of 2016 to analyze the social responsibility of rural tourists. The methodology was analytical-descriptive, using the library and field study (questionnaire). The study population comprised 228 tourists from 14 rural areas of Khaf. Data were collected using a stratified random sampling method with a questionnaire, which was based on the 5-fold elements of social responsibility in the literature. The reliability of the measurement tool was (0.869) based on Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. The results and findings of this study suggested the sample stayed higher than the favorable average number of 3 in terms of social responsibility component. In other words, tourists visiting these villages feel more responsible towards the different aspects of rural attractions. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
3 - Systematic Review of Research Papers in the Field of Tourism Social Studies
Mozhgan Azimi Hashemi zahra bostanReviewing research in any field provides a clear understating of theoretical approaches, methods, and techniques used in that field. It also expresses theoretical and methodological developments. In addition to general issues about the nature and evolution of scientific MoreReviewing research in any field provides a clear understating of theoretical approaches, methods, and techniques used in that field. It also expresses theoretical and methodological developments. In addition to general issues about the nature and evolution of scientific knowledge, Paradigmatic topics and new studies on tourism (which can provide theories on the evolution of tourism knowledge), systematic reviews provide verifiable and firm conclusions about the evolution of research on a relevant topic. In order to reveal insights and social thoughts about tourism, this article utilized content analysis to review the social studies of tourism in scientific journals in Iran. According to Cohen’s sociology of tourism, tourism social studies are classified into four categories: (a) the tourist-his motivations, attitudes, reactions, and roles; (b) the relations and perceptions of tourists and locals; (c) the structure of the tourist system; and (d) impacts of tourism. Research findings show that the structure of the tourist system is the most prevalent social issue in the Iranian scholars’ research. Tourists, impacts of tourism, and the relations and perceptions of tourists and locals are in the next places respectively. The results show that tourism is not popular among sociologists in Iran. Geographers are more active in producing and publishing social issues of tourism, and they have published most of the articles in all of the four categories. Results do not show growth in interdisciplinary studies of tourism but they confirm multidisciplinary research that was carried out mainly by using quantitative methods and through surveys of stakeholders and experts. The results show that there are many conceptual and methodological gaps in the development of knowledge between the tourism industry and its impact on policy-making, development, and management of commercial tourism in Iran. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
4 - The Impact of Co-branding Elements on Customers’ Satisfaction and Loyalty in Chain Restaurants in Tehran
Jafar Ahangaran رضا اصلانيRestaurant management is one of the important subsets of the tourism industry that makes tourist destinations more attractive. Additionally, food can be a cultural signifier and promote different cultural perspectives. Emerging concepts like co-branding can develop and MoreRestaurant management is one of the important subsets of the tourism industry that makes tourist destinations more attractive. Additionally, food can be a cultural signifier and promote different cultural perspectives. Emerging concepts like co-branding can develop and improve the status of restaurant management in Iran. This research surveyed the impact of co-branding elements on customers’ satisfaction and loyalty in chain restaurants in Tehran. This is an applied research. Data are qualitative. Methods of data collection are documentary and survey. The statistical population was chain restaurants in Tehran. Data were collected through 268 questionnaires with convenience sampling. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Pearson correlation coefficient, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modeling have been used for data analysis. Research conceptual model evaluation has been done through partial least square path analysis with PLS software. The results indicated the impact of 3 elements of co-branding strategy on customers’ satisfaction and loyalty. The elements are “Price advantage, rewards-based advertising, and support services.” Co-branding can be an effective marketing strategy for restaurant managers to increase their customers’ satisfaction, and to make a better policy to achieve their goals. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
5 - Prioritizing Motivations of Iraqi Tourists Visiting the Holy City of Mashhad
Though discussions about tourists’ motivations have witnessed many investigations in recent years, research regarding motivations for religious tourism is in its infancy. Researchers have not reached an exact consensus in distinguishing religious and pilgrimage tourism. MoreThough discussions about tourists’ motivations have witnessed many investigations in recent years, research regarding motivations for religious tourism is in its infancy. Researchers have not reached an exact consensus in distinguishing religious and pilgrimage tourism. Success in destination marketing requires a thorough analysis of tourists’ motivations. Therefore, the current study surveyed and prioritized motivations of Iraqi tourists. The study is based on library research, and the use of a questionnaire. In this study, 385 questionnaires were distributed among Iraqi tourists entering the city of Mashhad. 10 hidden variable and 38 items or questions were analyzed. After the final review, 247 questionnaires were accepted. Demographic variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Confirmatory factor analysis was used in analyzing the main variables. Data validity, reliability, and goodness of fit were approved and the Friedman test was used to rank the factors. The results showed that spirituality and self-actualization motives were of the highest priority. Other motivations were: visiting historic-cultural attractions; gaining respect and prestige; family reasons; searching for safety and relaxation; enjoying recreation and leisure; and learning and curiosity motivations. Pull factors were religio-cultural motivations, leisure attractions, and structural features, respectivesly. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
6 - A Systematic Analysis of Positive and Negative Effects of IRAN Tourism Development Using a Future Study Approach
Amin Faraji Molaei MohammadThe rapid expansion of the tourism industry, besides positive aspects, can include many negative economic, socio-cultural and environmental issues. This paper, using structural analysis modeling, reviewed and analyzed the previous studies and experts’ opinions. The main MoreThe rapid expansion of the tourism industry, besides positive aspects, can include many negative economic, socio-cultural and environmental issues. This paper, using structural analysis modeling, reviewed and analyzed the previous studies and experts’ opinions. The main purpose was to develop a model to identify and prioritize the influential positive and negative impacts of tourism on a national scale during tourism development process in Iran. The impacts include: (a) positive and negative economic impacts (including an increase in income, job generation, increasing the cost of living, inflation, etc.); (b) socio-cultural impacts (including an increase in social capital and participation, the revival of local values, increase in social gaps, consumerism, etc.); and (c) environmental impacts (including improving the quality of an environment, promoting the green architecture, reduction of natural per capita, reducing physical capacity, etc.). Structural analysis model was used to analyze the data using the Micmac software. The current study presented and arranged the most important influential and dependency factors in the economic, environmental and socio-cultural dimensions. The study pointed out that to reach a sustainable tourism system, the first priority is to concentrate on the influential negative impacts, especially on the environmental issues. The second priority is to focus on the reduction of the linkage and risk impacts due to their unpredictability. Manuscript profile -
Open Access Article
7 - Analyzing the Effective Factors Influencing the Satisfaction of Foreign and National Tourists of Bisotoun Tourism Complex
When discussing the level of tourists’ satisfaction in a specific destination, attention needs to be paid to indicators of satisfaction analysis. Providing needs and expectations of tourists guarantee a higher level of tourist attraction and development. The main questi MoreWhen discussing the level of tourists’ satisfaction in a specific destination, attention needs to be paid to indicators of satisfaction analysis. Providing needs and expectations of tourists guarantee a higher level of tourist attraction and development. The main question of this study was, “What are the main factors which affect the level of tourists’ satisfaction in Bisotoun international tourist destination?” This research is applied, and the method is descriptive analysis. Data collection was based on field observations, library research, and using questionnaires. To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics, including factor analysis method and independent T Test, have been used. Statistical population of this study included national and foreign visitors of Bisotoun international tourism complex. Since the number or the statistical population was unclear, using Cochran, the numbers of required samples were specified as 384 for each group of national and international tourists. The results of the study show that six factors affect tourists’ satisfaction: quality of the environment; quality of services; quality of the host community and their behavior toward tourists; prices of the services; quality of safety; and the quality of transportation services. Results also show that prices of the services, quality of the environment, and transportation services have the highest effect on the satisfaction of the national and international tourists. Manuscript profile