Geography and Human Relationships

Geography and Human Relationships

Identifying the Factors Influencing the Sustainable Development of Water Sports and Recreational Tourism in Khuzestan Province

Document Type : thesis

Authors
Zeinab Jarah 1
Shahram Alam 2
Reza Saboonchi 1
1 Department of Sports Management, Borujerd Branch, Islamic Azad University, Borujerd, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education, Islamic Azad University, Yadegar Imam Khomeini (RA) Shahre Rey Branch, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/gahr.2026.574977.2678
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to identify the factors influencing the sustainable development of water sports and recreational tourism in Khuzestan Province. This applied study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis. The study population included professors and experts in sport management, tourism and sport tourism, managers of tourism and sport tourism agencies, Ph.D. researchers in sport management and tourism, and experienced managers from the General Directorate of Youth and Sports of Khuzestan Province. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 20 experts, and the process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. To ensure the validity and reliability of the study, four criteria credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability were applied. Reliability was calculated using intra-coder agreement, yielding 89%. The findings indicated that the factors influencing the sustainable development of water sports and recreational tourism in Khuzestan Province were categorized into 71 key points, 10 concepts, and 4 main categories: organizing requirements for sustainable development, information management, institutional frameworks, and digitalization and information technology. The conclusion suggests that achieving sustainable development in this field requires an integrated, institutional, and data-driven approach. Simultaneous attention to sustainable development requirements, strengthening institutional mechanisms, and utilizing digital technologies can facilitate effective policymaking and planning.
Keywords
Tourism
Sport Tourism
Water Recreation
Tourism Development
Thematic Analysis
Subjects
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Geography and Human Relationships
Volume 9, Issue 2 - Serial Number 34
Summer 2026
Pages 651-670

  • Receive Date 09 February 2026
  • Revise Date 27 February 2026
  • Accept Date 04 April 2026