Tools for a geopolitics of tourism. Equality spatial analysis of tourism resources and attractions: the case of Tehran Province

Authors

Keywords:

Geopolitics of tourism, spatial equality, equality zone, tourism resources, SD16, SDG11

Abstract

This work stands out for its pioneering application of geopolitical analysis principles to the realm of tourism and its sustainable management. This groundbreaking approach contributes to a deeper understanding of the impacts of tourism on destinations and provides new perspectives for optimizing tourism management policies, while promoting sustainability in tourism destinations. The general objective of this study is to introduce the use of the integrated analysis of political, economic and social dynamics in a defined geographical area – characteristic elements of geopolitics analysis – for the identification of inequalities and spatial imbalances in the context of tourism. To this end, the specific aim of this research is the experimental use of geographic information systems (GIS) to understand the differences and variations in tourism services in the province of Teheran (Iran), chosen as case study. In this article, the primary resources of tourism in Tehran Province were examined, and the natural (northern mountain ranges of the province) and cultural-historical (the royal road of Khorasan in the east and the ancient region of Rey in the south of the province) capacities were identified. Equal and integrated zones were extracted with neighborhood provinces. The results indicate that political boundaries have weaknesses and damage in terms of political management of the tourism sector and will have negative geopolitical consequences for the tourism sector.

Author Biography

  • Fabio Carbone, University of Northampton

    Lecturer of International Tourism Management at the Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University (UK) - where he is winner of an Excellence Award - and researcher fellow at the Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations (Coventry University, UK). Main research interest: the relations between cultural heritage management and tourism for the promotion of intercultural dialogue, global understanding and peace.

    Ambassador-at-large of the International Institute for Peace through Tourism (IIPT, New York), founder member of the IIPT Iran Chapter and IIPT Educator Network Coordinator.

     

    A professional career based on a strong humanistic background, he started as archaeologist and later his interest in Cultural Heritage drove him to the area of Cultural Heritage Management and Heritage Tourism. Recently his interest is also related to the relations between cultural heritage management and the policy of integration and peace building in post-conflict areas. Among his academic awards: the excellence award 2018 by the Faculty of Business and Law, Coventry University and the honorific mention of Doctor Europaeus.

     

    He has an extensive experience both as a practitioner and as academic. In the past he was project manager and consultant for public and private bodies promoting cultural projects co-financed by the European Commission through the non-profit organization HERA (www.heraonline.org). Invited member of the direction board of Dante Alighieri Society, Italian institution promoting activities of cultural diplomacy worldwide. He has already sat on many scientific board worldwide for the organisation of events such as the International Conference GEOGRAPHIES FOR PEACE (Bolivia), INVTUR2017 (Portugal) among others. He is an awarded reviewer for the international journal “Tourism Management” with the Outstanding Reviewer Status, as well as for the Journal of International Relations, Peace Studies, and Development; International Journal of Tourism Cities; Journal of Destination Marketing & Management.

     

    He is affiliated to many academic institutions, such as the GOVCOPP - Research Unit in Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, DEGEI, University of Aveiro (Portugal); Geosciences Centre, University of Coimbra (Portugal); Italian Group of Geoarchaeology, JEAN MONNET Department of European Studies (Locarno, Switzerland), and he is member of the Forum UNESCO - University & Heritage (University of Valencia, Spain).

     

    Beyond his strong engagement in academic citizenship, he is also affiliated to non-academic institutions: observer member of the Portuguese Steering Committee for HERITY - World Organisation for the Certification of Quality Management of Cultural Heritage. He has a special dedication to volunteering, both at local and international level. In 2003, he was European Volunteer, within the European Volunteer Service, and since that time he has collaborated in many voluntary humanitarian projects in countries like Serbia and with pro bono consulting for non-profit organizations in Bangladesh. He is also supporter of the UN Refugees Agency, and he belongs to the international UN Volunteers database, to serve in UN missions of Humanitarian Assistance and UN peacekeeping operation.

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Published

2024-12-29

Issue

2024

Section

Full paper