Identifying and analyzing future-oriented strategies for tourism development in the Caspian region (Iran and Russia): A mixed-methods approach

Document Type : Original Research Articles

Authors

1 Assistant professor, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Physical Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

3 Assistant professor, Department of Tourism Management, Faculty of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran

4 Professor, Department of Human Geography, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

5 Kazan Federal University, Kazan, Russia

Abstract

Tourism, as a major driving force, can serve as a foundation for regional development. Certain regions possess unique advantages due to their geographical and strategic positions; however, for various reasons, they have not been able to effectively capitalize on their tourism potential. The Caspian Sea basin serves as a prominent example of such regions. Despite its considerable potential, the countries bordering the Caspian Sea have not fully utilized their tourism capacities. Therefore, adopting effective strategies for the utilization and development of tourism in this region is essential and emphasized in this study. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical, employing a mixed-methods approach (qualitative-quantitative) based on survey data collection. The statistical population consists of tourism experts and professionals. Data collection tools included interviews and questionnaires. A total of 18 participants were selected for interviews through theoretical saturation, and 116 individuals were chosen for the survey using the snowball sampling method. In the qualitative phase, 26 initial concepts were identified and categorized into seven main strategic themes: marketing, advertising, and media strategies; facilitation of diplomacy and regional policy-making; development of tourism infrastructure and services; strengthening local participation and leveraging indigenous capacities; product-oriented strategies and diversification of tourism types; managerial, organizational, and sustainability strategies; and finally, integrated and transnational regional tourism development. The validation of the proposed strategies through statistical testing yielded a significance level below 0.05 and an average score of 4.028, confirming their acceptance. Additionally, the results of the Friedman test indicated that the strategy of strengthening local participation and leveraging indigenous capacities ranked highest with an average rank of 5.13, making it the most prominent strategy. In conclusion, the Caspian Sea basin possesses diverse tourism potentials that can be effectively planned and developed through diplomacy, local engagement, and integrated regional development.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Abbasov, R., Karimov, R., & Jafarova, N. (2022). The Caspian Sea and its values in Azerbaijan. In Ecosystem Services in Azerbaijan: Value and Losses (pp. 1-28). Cham: Springer International Publishing.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-08770-7_1
Abdollahzadeh, M. , Rahnama, M. , Ajza Shokouhi, M. and Mousavi, M. (2020). Assessment of social sustainability Indicators in Cities of West Azerbaijan province. Human Geography Research, 52(4), 1257-1273. doi: 10.22059/jhgr.2019.276093.1007878 [In Persian]
Alilou, M., & Ahmadi, B. (2012). Investigating the challenges of tourism on the coasts of the Caspian Sea from a geopolitical perspective. Mazandaran Journal of Law Enforcement Science. 3(9) 84-99. https://civilica.com/doc/1709555/ [In Persian]
Alipour, H., Olya, H. G., Hassanzadeh, B., & Rezapouraghdam, H. (2017). Second home tourism impact and governance: Evidence from the Caspian Sea region of Iran. Ocean & Coastal Management, 136, 165-176.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2016.12.006
Amiri, H., Beyranvandzadeh, B. & Hoseinian Rad, A. (2026). Analysis of factors affecting urban tourism development with a futures research approach Case study: Delfan. (e219396). Journal of Sustainable Urban & Regional Development Studies (JSURDS), 6(4), 1-20. https://www.srds.ir/article_219396.html?lang=fa [In Persian]
Andrades, L., & Dimanche, F. (2017). Destination competitiveness and tourism development in Russia: Issues and challenges. Tourism management, 62, 360-376.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2017.05.008
Bulfone, F. (2023). Industrial policy and comparative political economy: A literature review and research agenda. Competition & change, 27(1), 22-43.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/10245294221076225
Fattah Zadeh, Y,., Salehi, E., & Khastou, M.(2024). Identifying and analyzing key drivers affecting sustainable tourism development with a futures research approach (Case study: Guilan Province). Haft Hesar J Environ Stud, 13 (48) ,87-104. http://hafthesar.iauh.ac.ir/article-1-2086-fa.html [In Persian]
Ferdowsi, S., Shahmohammadi, H. R., & Jalali, M. (2018). Study of Potentials of Tourism Climate in The Caspian Southern Coasts. Scientific- Research Quarterly of Geographical Data (SEPEHR),  26(104), 103-115. https://doi.org/10.22131/sepehr.2018.30521 [In Persian]
Ghaderi, E., Bagheri, F., Farzin, M., & kazemian, G. (2019). Coastal tourism management: analysis the integrated approach. Journal of Tourism and Development, 7(4), 175-204. https://www.itsairanj.ir/article_85438.html?lang=en [In Persian]
Ghafourian, S., & Sadeghzadeh, M. (2022). Coastal tourism planning using GIS-based system: the case of Shirud coast, Caspian Sea, Mazandaran, Iran. GeoJournal, 87(4), 3231-3248.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s10708-021-10424-3
Gholami, Y., Razmand, M., Shafiei, N., Shahrokhi Sardo, S., & Parviz Bashmani, E. (2025). Child-centered tourism development in Bandar Abbas: Family indicators and future role. Geography and Regional Future Studies, 2(4), 55-68. doi: 10.30466/grfs.2024.54932.1030 [In Persian]
Gössling, S., & Hall, C. M. (2021). Pandemic, tourism and global change: A rapid assessment of COVID‑19 impacts. Sustainability, 13(5), 1-19. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669582.2020.1758708
Imrani, Z. T., Mammadova, S. İ., Hadjiyeva, N. N., & Vysotskyi, O. Y. (2021). The main directions of sustainable socio-economic development of the Caspian littoral areas of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the existing environmental problems. Journal of Geology, Geography and Geoecology, 30(4), 652-665.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.15421/112160
Ionescu, A. M., & Sârbu, F. A. (2024). Exploring the impact of smart technologies on the tourism industry. Sustainability, 16(8), 1-18. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/16/8/3318
Jamini, D. , Javan, F. , & Heydarian, B. (2024). Identification of Challenges and Solutions for The Development of Geotourism in Selected Rural Settlements in Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Hamedan Provinces. Journal of Tourism Planning and Development, 13(51), 215-237. https://doi.org/10.22080/jtpd.2024.28159.3943 [In Persian]
Kostianaia, E. A., & Kostianoy, A. G. (2021). Regional climate change impact on coastal tourism: A case study for the black sea coast of Russia. Hydrology, 8(3), 133.‏ https://doi.org/10.3390/hydrology8030133
Litvinova, T. (2020). North Caucasus image inside Russia in the context of tourism cluster development. Geo Journal of Tourism and Geosites, 28(1), 275-288.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.30892/gtg.28122-469
Mammadova, U. (2024). Caspian-sea ecotourism potential: Sustainable development and conservation perspectives. In BIO Web of Conferences (Vol. 136, p. 04006). EDP Sciences.‏ https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202413604006
Mousavi, M. N. , Ghaderi, R. , Taghilo, A. A. and Kahaki, F. (2018). Scenario Development in Realizability Territorial Spatial Arrangement (Case Study: Khorasan-e-Razavi). Town and Country Planning, 10(1), 65-91. doi: 10.22059/jtcp.2018.247488.669826 [In Persian]
Nurmatov, R., Nanovsky, S., Fernandez Lopez, X. L., Coto Millan, P. P., & Paz Saavedra, D. (2025). Assessing the tourism efficiency in the Caspian Sea region. International Journal of Water Resources Development,41(1), 204-221..‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/07900627.2024.2435990
Rahman, Z., & Salahudin, S. (2021). Regional Tourism Development Planning: A Structured Literature Review. JPPUMA: Jurnal Ilmu Pemerintahan dan Sosial Politik UMA (Journal of Governance and Political UMA), 9(2), 150-164.‏ https://doi.org/10.31289/jppuma.v9i2.5208
Rasekhi, S.,& Mohammadi, S. (2017). Factors Affecting Tourism Demand in the Caspian Sea Littoral States. Tourism Management Studies, 12(38), 63-81. https://doi.org/10.22054/tms.2017.6434.1148 [In Persian]
Sadeghi, H. & Javan, F. (2025). Vulnerability of Iranian tourism villages in terms of Landslide hazard using GIS. Geography, 23(84), 153-170. https://doi.org/10.22034/jiga.2025.2055364.1385 [In Persian]
Sadeghi, H. (2024). Comparative Evaluation of Fuzzy Overlay Models for Identifying Potential Sites for Tourist Accommodation in Dezpart Region Using Gamma and Sum Models. Spatial Planning, 13(4), 1-22. https://doi.org/10.22108/sppl.2023.138669.1759 [In Persian]
Sadeghi, HO & Seidaiy, S. (2025). Tourism and rural development. Rural areas—Development and Transformations. Intechopen press. Pp. 137-161. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/86865
Sengoz, A., Dogru, T., Mody, M., & Isik, C. (2025). Guiding the path to sustainable tourism development: Investigating the role of tour guides within a social exchange theory paradigm. Tourism Management, 110, 26-43.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2025.105162
Shamsoddini, A., Sadeghi, H. O., Koravand, H., & Sharifi, M. (2023). Investigating tourism development services and providing optimal strategies in rural areas (Case study: Dezpart County- Shayvand village). Geography and Regional Future Studies, 1(1), 18-32. https://doi.org/10.30466/grfs.2023.121356 [In Persian]
Sheresheva, M. Y. (2018). The Russian tourism and hospitality market: new challenges and destinations. Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes, 10(4), 400-411.‏ https://doi.org/10.1108/WHATT-04-2018-0027
Sisto, R., Cappelletti, G. M., Bianchi, P., & Sica, E. (2022). Sustainable and accessible tourism in natural areas: A participatory approach. Current Issues in Tourism, 25(8), 1307-1324.‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/13683500.2021.1920002
Souca, M. L. (2020). Revitalizing rural tourism through creative tourism: The role and importance of the local community. Marketing–from Information to Decision Journal, 2(2), 43-50.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.2478/midj-2019-0009
World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). (2021). Tourism and the Sustainable Development Goals – A Global Review. UNWTO Publications. https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/abs/10.18111/9789284419340
Yousef Jamali S., Motavi S., Malekshahi G.,& rajabi A. (2021). An Analysis of the Role of Coastal Tourism in Sustainable Urban Development (Case Study: Coastal Cities of Babolsar, Noor and Royan). The Journal of Spatial Planning and Geomatics, 25 (4) ,45-70. https://hsmsp.modares.ac.ir/article_14702.html [In Persian]
Zeveke, O., Bogomolova, E., & Kolotova, E. (2022). Applied aspects of tourism business development in the Caspian Sea region: 033. In Dela Press Conference Series: Economics, Business and Management (No. 002, pp. 7-7).‏ https://dpcsebm.delapress.com/index.php/dpcsebm/article/view/131
Ziai, M., & Mirzaee, R. (2009). Challenges of Management and Development of Tourism in Protected Areas of Southern Coast of Caspian Sea (A Case of Miankalelt Wildlife Refuge). Tourism Management Studies, 3(10), 1-34. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.23223294.1384.3.10.1.9 [In Persian]
Geography and Regional Future Studies
Volume 3, Issue 3 - Serial Number 11
Autumn
December 2025
Pages 1-18

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics