Sustainable Assessment of Religious Tourism (Case Study: Emamzade Hamze Ali – Chaharmahal and Bakhtiaree Province)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Geography, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

2 PhD Candidate in Landuse Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Religious tourism is one of the significant areas of tourism industry in the world. It has always been a very important field of tourism which has not been affected by climate conditions or bad weather. Religious tourism is as old as the history of religious culture. According to the World Tourism Organization studies, each year, 600 million people travel around the world for religious and spiritual purposes.
Nowadays, more and more countries are seeking to develop religious tourism as a major source of employment and income. Religious tourism is also vital in Iran and it is the reason for many travels. The vast country of Iran, with a great variety of cultures generating various customs throughout the country, has many religious attractions, monuments, shrines and holy sites. This great variety in scenic and historical attractions led to the development of religious tourism. The total number of Imamzadeh sites in Iran is more than 8051 throughout the country. In addition, 33 Prophets are buried in the country, each having a special position for the Shiites. The proportion of Imamzadeh sites in different locations are respectively, 7 percent in rural areas, 23 percent in urban areas, 18 percent in mountainous areas, and the remaining 52 percent in the vicinity of roads and desert areas. Among the provinces of the country, Fars province with 14% and Mazandaran with 12%, are ranked as the first and the second in number of sites, respectively. Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province has also a total of 1% of the shrine sites.
One of the most important centers of religious tourism in this province is Imamzadeh Hamzeh Ali, hosting lots of tourists every year. These visitors have various impacts on the economic, social, environmental and physical aspects in the region. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the sustainability of this center in the life cycle of tourism. 
Methodology  
This study is an applied research with descriptive and analytical methodology. The purpose of the study is to assess the impact of tourism sustainability in Imamzadeh Hamzeh Ali. The study population consists of tourists and pilgrims that visit the holy shrine. The total volume of tourists and pilgrims that visit the shrine annually is about 600,000 people.  The site becomes usually crowded during late spring and summer in the months of June, July, August and September. The average daily page views in the mentioned months are about 4,000 people and in other months the value is about 500 people. The total sample size of visitors is 350 cases, estimated through Cochran formula. The variables of this study were identified by the experience of other similar studies by experts. The total levels of the study are 4 levels (economic, social, environmental and physical) and the total variables are more than 50 cases. 
Results and discussion
Of the total number of respondents, 61 percent were men and 39 percent were women. For the duration of their stay, 73% of these tourists were daily visitors and the rest (27%) were those stayed few days. The tourists are mainly come from Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province (65%), Isfahan province (19%), and Khuzestan province (9%) and  from other provinces (7%). From all the respondents, about 11% were illiterate, 23% elementary, 40% diploma and 26% bachelor and higher. About 20% of the respondents were 18-29 years old, 42% were 30-49 years old, and 38% were more than 50 years old. 
To assess the dimensions of sustainable development, the collected data were initially classified into the model of sustainability assessment process. Up to 63 variables were used to assess sustainability at the destination. Some of these variables are including job creation, purchase of agricultural products by tourists, indigenous employment in the tourism sector, access to credit and banking services, spreading handicrafts, private sector investment, improved facilities and educational services, improvement of cultural facilities and services, promotion of the standards of living conditions of people, addiction, theft, crime, hospitality, attention to the local culture of the people, local community satisfaction from tourism, participation of local residents in planning, interaction between tourists and the host community, rural migration, protecting Imamzadeh’s cultural heritage, quality of access routes, communication development, access to healthy drinking water, access to proper sanitation, suitable mobile coverage, tourists access to therapeutic space, access to commercial spaces, access to parking and etc.
The study of economic variables shows that parameters like seasonality of tourism revenues, increase in costs, and economic inequality are not good and are in an almost unstable situation. In the social dimension, addiction, theft, and delinquency are the worst of all. In the environmental dimension, about 75% of the variables are unstable or nearly unstable, the worst of which is the loss of drinking water and agriculture, pressure on resources, and environmental degradation. In the physical dimension, road accidents, access to sanitation and health care services have the worst condition than other variables.
 Based on the analysis, the highest stability is related to social sustainability (5.13). This level of sustainable development is in medium condition. After that, physical sustainability is in the next rank (4.97). The least sustainability is related to environmental level (3.71 value), followed by economic level (4.34 value). In general, all aspects of sustainable development are evaluated in intermediate level (4.6).  
Conclusion
Based on the results of this survey, and the answers of the respondents, the sustainability of Imamzadeh Hamzeh Ali is in medium level, especially in the case of environmental sustainability. The condition is poor and requires immediate measures and planning to achieve a more suitable condition. Based on Butler tourism life cycle model this center is in the second order, requiring engagement and action. At this stage, there is an increase in the number of short-term tourists. Businesses companies start to build touristic-related services and facilities. Small hotels and restaurants are constructed to provide the visitors with accommodation, food and tour guides. 

Keywords

Main Subjects


  1. ابراهیم‌زاده، عیسی، کاظمی‌زاد، شمس‌الله و محمد اسکندری ثانی، 1390، برنامه‌ریزی استراتژیک توسعة گردشگری با تأکید بر گردشگری مذهبی (مطالعة موردی: شهر قم)، پژوهش‌های جغرافیای انسانی، شمارة 76، صص 115-141.
  2. ادارة کل اوقاف و امور خیریة استان چهارمحال و بختیاری، 1394، بقاع متبرکة استان چهارمحال و بختیاری.
  3. ادارة کل میراث فرهنگی، صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری استان چهارمحال و بختیاری، 1388، طرح امکان‌سنجی منطقة نمونة گردشگری امام‌زاده حمزهعلی، معاونت سرمایه‌گذاری.
  4. ادارة کل میراث فرهنگی، صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری استان چهارمحال و بختیاری، 1390، شناسة مسیرهای گردشگری استان، معاونت گردشگری.
  5. اکبریان رونیزی، سعیدرضا و محمدرضا رضوانی، 1394، تحلیل و تبیین پایداری توسعة گردشگری در منـاطق روستـایی (مطالعۀ موردی: بخش مرکزی شهرستـان دماوند)، پژوهش‌های جغرافیای انسانی، دورة چهل‌و‌هفتم، شمارة 1، صص 81-95.
  6. باباخان‌زاده، ادریس و صدیقه لطفی، 1391، ارزیابی اثرات گردشگری بر روستای قوری قلعه، فصلنامة مطالعات مدیریت گردشگری، دورة هفتم، شمارة 20، صص 81-116.
  7. بل، سیمون و استفان مورس، 1385، سنجش پایداری، ترجمة ناصر شاهنوشی و یدالله آذرین‌فر، انتشارات دانشگاه فردوسی، مشهد.
  8. تقوایی، مسعود، موسوی، سید علی و یونس غلامی، 1389، تحلیلی بر توسعة گردشگری مذهبی (مطالعة موردی: شهرستان نورآباد ممسنی)، فصلنامة فضای جغرافیایی، سال دهم، شمارة 31، صص 39-63.
  9. جمعه‌پور، محمود و نرجس کیومرث، 1391، بررسی اثرات گردشگری بر دارایی‌ها و فعالیت‌های معیشتی مردم در چارچوب معیشت پایدار گردشگری (مطالعة موردی روستای زیارت)، فصلنامة مطالعات مدیریت گردشگری، سال هفتم، شمارة 71، صص 87-119.
  10. چاک‌گی، ادواردو فایوسولا، 1379، جهانگردی در چشم‌اندازی جامع، ترجمة علی پارسایان و محمد اعرابی، دفتر پژوهش‌های فرهنگی، تهران.
  11. حسن‌نژاد، مریم، براتی، جواد، رفیعی، هادی و محمد مظهری، 1393، شناسایی استراتژی‌های توسعة سرمایه‌گذاری گردشگری مذهبی در ایران (مطالعة موردی: زیارتگاه امام رضا (ع))، مجلة برنامه‌ریزی و توسعة گردشگری، سال سوم، شمارة 9، صص 88-109.
  12. حمزه، فرهاد و فاطمه هادی اصل، 1393، ارزیابی جایگاه گردشگری عسلویه در مدل باتلر، اولین همایش ملی گردشگری سبز در ایران، تهران.
  13. دهشیری، محمدرضا، 1394، ارزیابی عوامل مؤثر بر گردشگری مذهبی در ایران، مجلة برنامه‌ریزی و توسعة گردشگری، سال چهارم، شمارة 12، صص 72-92.
  14. رضایی، پژمان، 1395، مقدمه‌ای بر برنامه‌ریزی مناطق نمونة گردشگری در ایران، انتشارات دانشگاه یزد، یزد.
  15. رضوانی، علی‌اصغر، 1379، جغرافیا و صنعت توریسم، انتشارات دانشگاه پیام‌نور.
  16. رکن‌الدین افتخاری، عبدالرضا، بیشمی، بهار، سجاسی قیداری، حمدالله و یوسف حسن‌پور، 1388، نقش کشورهای عضو سازمان کنفرانس اسلامی در توریسم جهانی، فصلنامة ژئوپلیتیک، سال پنجم، شمارة 2، صص 138-168.
  17. رکن الدین افتخاری، عبدالرضا؛ آقایاری هیر، محسن، 1386، سطح بندی پایداری توسعه روستایی، مطالعه موردی بخش هیر، پژوهش های جغرافیایی، زمستان 1386، شماره: 62، صص 44-31.
  18. ریاحی سامانی، نادر، 1389، جایگاه اماکن زیارتی در توسعة گردشگری ایران، چاپ اول، سازمان چاپ و انتشارات، تهران.
  19. سازمان اوقاف و امور خیریه، 1396، پایگاه جامع امامزادگان و بقاع متبرکه ایران اسلامی.
  20. سازمان میراث فرهنگی، صنایع‌دستی و گردشگری ایران، 1390، دانشنامة تاریخ معماری ایران‌شهر.
  21. ضرغام بروجنی، حمید و ترکمان، نسرین، 1392، تحلیلی بر توسعة گردشگری مذهبی در استان همدان، فصلنامة علوم مدیریت ایران، سال هشتم، شمارة 30، صص 57-81.
  22. ضرغام بروجنی، حمید، 1392، برنامه‌ریزی توسعة جهانگردی رویکردی همپیوند و پایدار، انتشارات مهکامه، تهران.
  23. فراهانی، حسین، ولائی، محمد و زهرا صدقی سراسکانرود، 1392، بررسی نقش گردشگری مذهبی در توسعة روستایی از دیدگاه گردشگران (مطالعة موردی: روستای چکان شهرستان مراغه)، اندیشة جغرافیایی، سال هفتم، شمارة 14، صص 37-56.
  24. کیانی سلمی، صدیقه، شاطریان، محسن و لیلا ابراهیمی، 1396، ارزیابی فرایند توسعة گردشگری براساس مدل چرخة حیات مقصد (نمونة موردی: شهرستان بویراحمد)، فصلنامة جغرافیایی فضای گردشگری، دورة ششم، شمارة 22، صص 43-60.
  25. محمدی‌یگانه، بهروز، چراغی، مهدی و محمد ولائی، 1392، نقش گردشگری مذهبی در توسعة روستایی با تأکید بر کیفیت زندگی و سرمایة اجتماعی (مطالعة موردی: روستای قپچاق شهرستان میاندوآب)، نشریة تحقیقات کاربردی علوم جغرافیایی، سال سیزدهم، شمارة 30، صص 7-25.
  26. محمودی، بیت‌الله، فقهی، جهانگیر، مخدوم، مجید و محمد عواطفی همت، 1394، ارزیابی فرایند پایداری در سطوح محلی براساس رویکرد IUCN (مطالعة موردی: ناحیة عرفی منج در شهرستان لردگان)، فصلنامة محیط‌زیست طبیعی، منابع طبیعی ایران، دورة شصت‌و‌هشتم، شمارة 4، صص 653-663.
  27. مرکز آمار ایران، 1391، سرشماری نفوس و مسکن 1390، فرهنگ آبادی‌های کشور، استان چهارمحال و بختیاری.
  28. معاونت برنامه‌ریزی و نظارت راهبردی ریاست جمهوری، 1390، سند چشم‌انداز جمهوری اسلامی ایران در افق 1404، معاونت مجلس و مناطق.
  29. موسوی، میرنجف، عبداله‌زاده، مهدی و علی باقری کشکولی، 1394، گردشگری مذهبی (ماهیت و مفاهیم)، آراد کتاب، تهران.
  30. موسوی، میرنجف و ناصر سلطانی، 1393، تحلیلی بر نقش گردشگری مذهبی در توسعة شهری (مطالعة موردی: امام‌زاده جعفر یزد)، مجلة پژوهش و برنامه‌ریزی شهری، سال پنجم، شمارة 18، صص 77-94.
  31. نیازی، محسن، صالحی، عباس و محسن کرمانی نصرآبادی، 1389، مردم‌شناسی جهانگردی، انتشارات سخنوران، تهران.
  32. یاری‌حصار، ارسطو؛ مهدوی، داوود، حیدری ساربان، وکیل و خدیجه ابراهیمی، 1394، پایش چرخة حیات گردشگری پایدار (مطالعة موردی: روستاهای هدف استان اردبیل)، فصلنامة برنامه‌ریزی و آمایش فضا، دورة نوزدهم، شمارة 4، صص 185-215.

33. Ebrahimzadeh, I., Kazeminejad, SH., and Eskandaree, S., 2011, Strategic Planning Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Religious Tourism (Case Study: Gom City), Research in Human Geography, No. 76, PP. 115-141. (In Persian)

34. Directorate General Endowments Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, 2015, Holy Shrines in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. (In Persian)

35. Administration of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, 2009, Feasibility of Emamzadeh Hamzeh Ali Tourism Complex, Deputy Finance. (In Persian)

36. Administration of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province, 2016, ID Tourism Routes, Deputy Finance. (In Persian)

37. Akbarin, S., and Rezvani, M., 2015, Analysis and Explanation of the Sustainability of Tourism Development in Rural Areas (Case Study: Central Part of Damavand District), Human Geography Research, Vol. 47, No. 1, PP. 81-95. (In Persian)

38. Roknodin Eftekhri, A., Bishami, B., Sajasi, H., and Hasanpoor,Y., 2009, The Role of OIC Member Countries in Global Tourism, Geopolitical Quarterly, Vol. 5, No. 2, PP. 138-168. (In Persian)

39. Roknodin Eftekhri, A., Agayari hir, M., 2007, Rural Development Sustainability Leveling, A Case Study of the Heir Sector, Geographical Research, Winter 2007 - Number 62 .(In Persian)

40. Baba Khanzadeh, E., and Lotfi, S., 2012, Tourism Impact Assessment in Gori Gale Village, Tourism Management Studies, Vol. 7, No. 20, PP. 81-116. (In Persian)

41. Organization of Endowment and Charity, 2017, Comprehensive Database of Imam Zadeghan and Bekaa of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (In Persian)

42. Bel, S., and Mors, E., 2006, Measuring the Sustainability, Translated by Naser Shahnoshi and Yadoallah Azarin Far, Published by University of Mashhad. (In Persian)

43. Tagvaee, M., Mosavi, A., and Golami Bimorg, Y., 2010, Analysis of the Development of Religious Tourism (Case Study: Noor Abad Mamasani), Geographical Space Studies, Vol. 10, No. 31, PP. 39-63. (In Persian)

44. Jome Poor, M., and Kiomars, N., 2012, The Effects of Tourism on Assets and Livelihoods in the Context of Sustainable Livelihoods Tourism Activities (Case Study: Ziarat Village), Tourism Management Studies, Vol 17, No. 71, PP. 87-119. (In Persian)

45. Chak, V., 2000, Tourism in Comprehensive Outlook, Translated by Prsaian, A. and Arabi, M., Cultural Research Bureau, Tehran. (In Persian)

46. Hasannejad, M., Barati, J., Rafiee, H., and Mazharee, M., 2014, Identify Development Strategies Religious Tourism Investment in Iran (Case Study: Emam Reza Holly Shrine), Tourism Planning and Development Journal, Vol. 3, No. 9, PP. 88-109. (In Persian)

47. Hamzeh, F., and Hadi, F., 2014, Assessment of Asalouye Tourism Status in the Butler Model, the First National Tourism Conference in Iran, Tehran. (In Persian)

48. Dehshri, M., 2015, Assess the Factors Affecting Religious Tourism in Iran, Tourism Planning and Development Journal, Vol. 4, No. 12, PP. 72-92. (In Persian)

49. Rezaee, P., 2016, An Introduction on Tourism Complexes in Iran, Yazd University Publication, Yazd. (In Persian)

50. Rezvani, A., 2000, Geography and Tourism Industry, Payame Noor Publication.

51. Riahi, N., 2000, The Place of Pilgrimage Places in Iran’s Tourism Development, First Printing, Printing and Publishing Organization, Tehran. (In Persian)

52. Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization of Iran, 2011, Encyclopedia Architectural History of the City. (In Persian)

53. Zargam Borojeni, H., 2013, Sustainable Tourism Development Planning Approach and Interlocked, Mahkameh Publication, Tehran. (In Persian)

54. Zargam Borojeni, H., and Torkaman, N., 2013, Analysis of the Development of Religious Tourism In Hamedan Province, Journal of Management Sciences in Iran, Vol. 8, No. 30, PP. 57-81. (In Persian)

55. Farahani, H., Velaee, M., and Sadgi Sraskanrood, Z., 2013, The Role of Religious Tourism in Rural Development From the Perspective of Tourists (Case Study: Village of Chakan), Geographic Thought, No. 14, PP. 105-116. (In Persian)

56. Kiani, S., Shaterian, M., and Ebrahimi, L., 2017, Evaluation of the Tourism Development Process Based on the Life Cycle Model of the Destination (Case Study: Borahmad District), Geographic Quarterly of Tourism Space, Vol. 6, No. 22, PP. 43-60. (In Persian)

57. Mohamadi Yeganeh, B., Cheragi, M., and Velaee, M., 2013, The Role of Religious Tourism in Rural Development, with an Emphasis on Quality of Life and Social Capital (Case Study: Village of Gabchag), Applied Geographical Sciences Research, Vol. 13, No. 30, PP. 7-25. (In Persian)

58. Statistical Center of Iran, 2012, Population and Housing Census of 2011.

59. Vice President of Strategic Planning and Control, 2011, Visions Islamic Republic of Iran on the Horizon 2025.

60. Mosavi, M., and Soltani, N., 2014, Analysis of the Role of Religious Tourism in Urban Development (Case Study: Emamzadeh Jafa Yazd), Research and Urban Planning Journal, Vol. 5, No. 18, PP. 77-94.

61. Mosavi, M. Abdolahzadeh, M. and Bageri Kashkolo, A., 2015, Relagious Tourism (Nature and Concepts), Arad Book, Tehran. (In Persian)

62. Niazi, M., Salahi, A., and Kermani, M., 2010, Tourism Anthropology, Sokhanvaran Publication, Tehran. (In Persian)

63. Yari Hesar, A., Mahdavi, D., Heidaree Sareban, V., and Ebrahimi, K., 2015, Monitoring the Life Cycle of Sustainable Tourism (Case Study: Special Tourism Villages in Ardabil Province), Quarterly of Spatial Planning, Vol. 19, No. 4, PP. 185-215. (In Persian)

64. Bossel, H., 1999, Indicators for Sustainable Development, Theory, Method, Application, IISD.

65. Breidenhann, T., and Wickens, E., 2004, Tourism Routes as a Tool For the Economic Development of Rural Areasdvibrant Hope or Impossible Dream, Journal of Tourism Management, Vol. 25, No. 1, PP. 71-79.

66. Fossati, A., and Panella, G., 2000, Tourism and Sustainable Development: A Theoretical Framework, Tourism and Sustainable Economic Development, PP. 3-36, Boston Kluwer Academic Publishers.

67. Giaoutzi, M., and Nijkamp, P., 2006, Emerging Trends in Tourism Development in on Open Word, Tourism and Regional Development: New Pathways, PP. 1-12, Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Publishing Ltd.

68. Haab, B., 1996, The Way as an Inward, Journey: An Anthropologicalenquiry into the Spirituality of Present, Day Pilgrims to Santiago, Confratermity of St, James Bulletin, 56.

69. Lee, O., and Chang, C. P., 2008, Tourism Development and Economic Growth: A Closer Look at Panels, Journal of Tourism Management, Vol. 29, No. 1, PP. 180-192.

70. Sharpley, R., 2002, Rural Tourism and the Challenge of Tourism Diversification: The Case of Cyprus, Tourism Management, Vol. 23, No. 3, PP. 233- 244.

71. UNWTO, 2011, Religious Tourism in Asia and the Pacific, Published and Printed by the World Touris m Organization, Madrid, Spain.