Urban Economics and Planning

Urban Economics and Planning

Examining the role of urban managers in the flourishing of urban tourism: a case study: Zahedan City

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Rural Planning, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
2 M.A., Department of Geography and Tourism Planning, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran
Abstract
Urban managers, as the most important decision-making agents in urban affairs, play a very prominent role in the urban structure. In the field of tourism, urban managers can take a practical step towards the flourishing of urban tourism by providing suitable infrastructure. This research has been conducted to examine the role of urban managers in the flourishing of urban tourism in Zahedan city. The present research is applied in terms of purpose, and descriptive-analytical in terms of execution method. The statistical population of the research consisted of citizens of Zahedan city. Using Cochran’s formula, 384 people were selected as the sample by simple random sampling. To analyze the research data and information, a one-sample t-test and multiple regression analysis were applied. The results of the one-sample t-test showed that the indicators of strategic planning and policymaking, with an average of 3.066, infrastructure development and investment, with an average of 3.089, urban marketing and branding, with an average of 3.078, and monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement, with an average of 3.084, are in a suitable status. Also, the flourishing of urban tourism with an average of 2.902 in Zahedan city is in an unfavorable status. The results of regression analysis showed that the urban marketing and branding indicator, with a beta coefficient of 0.366, the infrastructure development and investment indicator with a beta coefficient of 0.307, the strategic planning and policymaking indicator with a beta coefficient of 0.256, and the monitoring, evaluation, and continuous improvement indicator with a beta coefficient of 0.211 affect the flourishing of urban tourism.
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Volume 7, Issue 4
July 2026
Pages 126-139

  • Receive Date 08 October 2025
  • Revise Date 22 November 2025
  • Accept Date 23 November 2025