Presenting the sports tourism development model in Golestan province and identifying its entrepreneurial opportunities

Hosseini Asgarabadi, Maryam; Tayebi, Bahman

doi:10.22034/jsmk.2025.67164.1113

Presenting the sports tourism development model in Golestan province and identifying its entrepreneurial opportunities

Document Type : Research Paper I Open Access I Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

Assistant Professor of Sport Science Department, Human and Social Sciences Faculty, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran

10.22034/jsmk.2025.67164.1113

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate and propose a model for the development of sports tourism in Golestan Province and to identify entrepreneurial opportunities within this field. Data were collected using snowball sampling and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 12 experts, including managers, coaches with advanced degrees in sports teams and clubs, university sports management professors, and individuals active in the tourism sector. The data were analyzed using grounded theory and the classical approach, with two stages of open and axial coding. Ultimately, a grounded model based on the classical approach of Glaser, consisting of 90 components across 16 dimensions and 4 perspectives, was developed. The results revealed that the opportunities for sports tourism in Golestan Province include nature-based recreational and sports centers, specific sports activities, eco-lodges and camping sites, and educational activities. The antecedents of sports tourism development include infrastructure, local indigenous sports, and strategic partnerships. The processes involved in the development of sports tourism include effective marketing, planning and management, and a learning pathway. The outcomes of sports tourism development encompass economic, educational, managerial, environmental, cultural, and social dimensions. This study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates economic incentives, educational initiatives, and community participation for effective sports tourism development in Golestan Province. Implementing this model could play a significant role in achieving sustainable development goals and enhancing the quality of life in the region.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Leisure management and recreation

Publisher: University of Tabriz Copyright © The Authors

This is an open access article distributed under the following Creative Commons license: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

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