Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

An Analysis of the Effects of Tourism Development on the Quality of Life of Citizens: A Case Study of Kerman City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Hasan Ahmadi 1
Fateme Bahjati 2
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Master’s degree, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/uep.2025.521729.1639
Abstract
Introduction 
Cities are chosen as tourist destinations with a large variety of primary and secondary attractions, and the United Nations World Tourism Organization calls this type of tourism activity that is carried out in urban space, urban tourism. Urban tourism also plays a very important role in the development of cities, because today many cities host a significant number of tourists, and in terms of development, the tourism industry is considered as a useful tool for local development, which is a positive response to Negative economic changes. When a community becomes a destination for tourists, the activities of tourists affect the lives of the residents of that community. So that the tourism industry can be considered as one of the most effective factors on the quality of life of the residents of tourist destinations. The development of tourism in urban areas can greatly affect citizens’ quality of life. Tourism development implies attention to development at all individual, organizational, national, and international levels, and its sustainability requires the use of resources, management, investment, technological advancement, and structural and institutional change that is compatible with the present and future of mankind.
Materials and Methods
The present study is applied in terms of purpose and quantitative in terms of survey method. The statistical population of the research is made up of the citizens of Kerman, which according to the census of 2015, the population of this city was equal to 537,718 people, and using the Cochran formula, 384 people were selected randomly as a sample. In order to collect research data and information, a researcher-made questionnaire was used, and the formal and content validity of the questionnaire was confirmed after its flaws were identified by the professors and experts, and the desired flaws were corrected again and after re-checking by the professors. And its authenticity has been approved by experts. Also, in order to obtain the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used, and the alpha value obtained for the questionnaire was equal to 0.78, which indicates the appropriate reliability of the questionnaire for measuring the research variables. This research used economic, social, physical and environmental indicators along with 24 items (Table 1). In order to analyze the research findings, sample t-test, multivariate regression analysis and path analysis were used.
Findings
The research findings have been analyzed in two descriptive and inferential ways. The descriptive findings showed that 59% of the respondents were men and 41% were women. Regarding marital status, 64% are married and 36% are single. In terms of age, 21% in the age group of 21 to 30 years, 33% in the age group of 41 to 50 years, 17% in the age group of 41 to 50 years, 20% in the age group of 51 to 60 years and 9% in the older age group. They are 60 years old. In terms of education, 13% of the frequency is in the under-diploma education group, 21% in the diploma education group, 8% in the post-diploma education group, 35% in the bachelor’s education group, and 20% in the master’s education group and above. Regarding employment, 27% are in the employee occupational group, 11% are in the student group, 15% are in the homemaker group, 36% are in the self-employed group, and 11% are in the retired group.
Conclusion
The study results showed that tourism development has greatly impacted the quality of life variables, most of which were positive and led to an improvement in the status of the variable. The study of the quality of life in Kerman city showed that the economic, social, physical, and environmental variables of quality of life are favorable. The study on the effects of tourism development on quality of life revealed that tourism development had the greatest impact on the economic aspect of quality of life and social, environmental, and physical variables. The research results indicate that tourism’s effects on cities are diverse and can be both positive and negative. Tourism can contribute to economic development, job creation, and increased income in cities. On the other hand, tourism can also lead to environmental, social, and cultural problems, especially if carried out unsustainably and without planning. Therefore, tourism development, in addition to improving citizens’ quality of life, can also damage urban environments and social disorders. Among the limitations that exist in the way of tourism development in cities, especially in Kerman, are economic, cultural, infrastructural, social, and even political obstacles. The existence of some laws that limit tourists’ access to some areas, high costs of accommodation, transportation, and entertainment, lack of free gasoline for private cars, health problems, lack of infrastructure such as hotels and guesthouses, lack of education in the field of tourism for residents, and lack of advertising and information about tourist attractions can be mentioned. Therefore, it is suggested that the authorities, especially city managers, reduce the existing obstacles to tourism development in Kerman as much as possible, so that, in addition to comfortable travel for tourists, they can also increase the number of domestic and foreign tourists in the city. Finally, it is important to note that tourism can be a powerful tool for urban development. However, i must be managed sustainably and responsibly so that its benefits can be enjoyed and its negative effects can be prevented
Keywords
Influential Factors
Kerman City
Quality of Life
Route Analysis
Urban Tourism

Subjects

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Urban Economics and Planning
Volume 6, Issue 3
Summer 2025
Pages 72-85

  • Receive Date 06 May 2025
  • Revise Date 12 June 2025
  • Accept Date 30 June 2025