Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Assessment of Rural Tourism Development Using Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) Model (Case Study: West Azerbaijan Province, Iran)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Associate Professor, Department of Extension and Rural Development, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
The present study aims to assess rural tourism development using Tourism Area Life Cycle (TALC) model. Since there are different attractions in rural areas, the tourist villages of East Azerbaijan Province are selected as case studies to avoid a holistic view and achieve accurate and practical results. The statistical population includes rural tourism experts in East Azerbaijan Province who have adequate knowledge and experience of rural tourism, including the experts working in the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization of East Azerbaijan Province, the Housing Foundation of Islamic Revolution of East Azerbaijan Province, and the Agriculture Organization of East Azerbaijan Province. The statistical sample is selected using snowball sampling, which is a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The statistical sample size is 78. In this study, Butler's TALC model is investigated. According to the TALC Model, the results show that Kandovan village is at the development stage and welcomed by domestic and foreign tourists. So, considering its characteristics and needs, it is required to adopt and combine appropriate environmental, economic, sociocultural, and human resource-education strategies. Tutah Khaneh, Ushtabin and Zonuzaq villages are also at the involvement stage and it is required to more focus on human resource-education, sociocultural, environmental, product marketing strategies.
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Volume 7, Issue 3 - Serial Number 27
Winter 2025
Pages 135-152

  • Receive Date 27 May 2024
  • Revise Date 29 July 2024
  • Accept Date 01 September 2024