Spatial evaluation of the effects of tourism development on the quality of life of citizens in Tabriz metropolis

A B S T R A C T
One of the sectors that can be said to be the cause of fundamental economic, social and cultural changes in cities and today is called as an economically dynamic industry, is tourism; which plays a key role in improving the quality of life of citizens. In the present study, the evaluation of the effects of tourism development on the quality of life of citizens in Tabriz metropolis has been done based on the structure of the analysis of the hybrid models produced by the capabilities of the geographic information system. For this purpose, spatial modeling to determine tourism potentials in Tabriz metropolis with a new modeling approach and using geographic information system capabilities in spatial data management to combine real information (factors affecting tourism potential) has been investigated. Then, through the preparation of a questionnaire for the localities with tourism potential, the relationship between tourism development and the quality of life of citizens was examined. Based on research findings; In the self-organization model for tourism development and the multivariate regression test, the potential level of regions 6 and 9 have the lowest level of correlation and relationship for the impact of tourism development in promoting and improving the quality of life, but in the self-organization model, the potential level of regions 8 and 10 and in the test Multivariable regression, regions 2, 4, 8, and 10 have the highest level of correlation and relationship for the impact of tourism development in promoting and improving the quality of life in the ten regions of Tabriz metropolis. Also, the results showed that the studied area has a suitable level of quality of life and tourism development affects the satisfaction level of citizens and tourists. Because the relationships between the aspects of tourism development and quality of life are statistically significant in 8 regions of Tabriz metropolis, and the results of this research are consistent with previous studies
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Cities become more complex as they expand and develop daily and constantly change under various human and natural factors. In many cases, such changes will cause cities to become distinct and different areas with unique economic, social, and cultural characteristics. Tourism is one of the sectors that can be said to be the cause of fundamental economic, social, and cultural changes in cities, and today is called an economically dynamic industry, which plays a key role in improving citizens' quality of life. Quality of life, a word to raise the level of well-being and comfort of citizens to achieve better living conditions, has been given special attention in development programs in this century. The quality of urban life is a multidimensional concept with a long-term background and is used as a goal and a tool in urban management. It is necessary to achieve this goal and use this tool in urban management to identify the constructive dimensions and criteria of this complex and growing index. Various local and international indices and criteria have been designed and measured in this regard. Indicators that can be used as a tool to provide input in urban planning and also measure the achievement of goals or performance (output) of urban management and ultimately lead to the improvement of the quality of urban life and sustainable development of cities. In the present study, the evaluation of the effects of tourism development on the quality of life of citizens in Tabriz metropolis has been done based on the structure of the analysis of the hybrid models produced by the capabilities of the geographic information system.
 
Methodology
The main goal of the current research is spatial modeling of areas prone to urban tourism and spatial evaluation of the effects of tourism development on the quality of life of citizens in Tabriz metropolis. After preparing the spatial maps related to each criterion, they were standardized. Thus, the spatial maps of factors affecting tourism were classified from class 1 to 5 based on
the degree of impact on increasing or decreasing the development and potential of tourism. Two library and field methods were used to collect data, and in the field method, techniques and tools such as questionnaires and observation were employed. In order to spatially analyze the effects of tourism development on the quality of life of citizens in Tabriz metropolis, the questionnaire has been prepared and set up in the areas with the potential and power of tourism development, then from the entire statistical population (equal to 1,773,033 people), 384 people as a sample were selected, then the required information has been collected. It should be noted that the sample size was extracted based on population cluster density in each region. The measurement tool included two quality of life questionnaires by Warshburn (1992) with 50 items and tourism development by Chris (2006) with 23 items.
 
Results and discussion
The results of the T-Tech test show that the studied area has a suitable quality of life, and the studied sample has emphasized this by estimating 24 items above the average level (medium to high). The correlation coefficient between the tourism development variable and the quality of life variable is equal to 0.210 and at a significant level (P<0.05), indicating a significant relationship between these two variables. The correlation coefficient between the development of tourism and the promotion and improvement of the quality of life in regions of Tabriz is 0.128, with a significant level (P < 0.05) in Region 1; 0.350, with a significant level (P 0.05) in Region 2; 0.211, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 3; 0.125, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 4;  0.187, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 5;  0.287, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 7;  0.412, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 8;  0.420, with a significant level (P<0.05) in Region 10. In Regions 6 and 9, there is no significant relationship. The correlation coefficient of tourism development factors with the promotion and improvement of the quality of life in Tabriz metropolis is equal to 0.312, indicating a correlation between the mentioned variables. Also, the coefficient of determination or R square equals (0.126). Therefore, according to these results, it can be concluded that 12.6% of the scores for improving and developing the quality of life in Tabriz metropolis are due to the scores of tourism development factors. The correlation coefficient of tourism development factors with the promotion and improvement of the quality of life in Region 1 is equal to 0.354, in Region 2 equals 0.376, in Region 3 equals 0.466, in Region 4 equals 0.265, in Region 5 equals 0.292, in Region 6 equals 0.336, in Region 7 equals 0.474, in Region 8 equals 0.616, in Region 9 equals 0.270, and in Region 10 equals 0.519, which indicate the existence of correlation between the mentioned variables by regions. Also, the coefficient of determination or R-square in ten regions of Tabriz is equal to (0.069), (0.098), (0.130), (0.052), (0.024), and (-0.102), (0.158), (0.299), (-0.047), and (0.153), respectively.
 
Conclusion
According to the tourism development map of Tabriz, 43% of this metropolis are in high and very high tourism development class, 18% are medium, and 39% are low in terms of tourism potential. Based on the multivariate regression test results, Regions 6 and 9 have the lowest potential for tourism development, and Regions 2, 4, 8, and 10 have the highest potential for tourism development in the ten regions of Tabriz. From the point of view of the residents, the feeling of security and personal health, satisfaction with life, feeling of belonging to the community, satisfaction with the social position, access to information and communication technology, expansion of cultural and artistic facilities, improvement of urban furniture and city amenities, satisfaction with job, reducing economic inequality, creating motivation for career advancement, access to credit and financial services, the ability to meet the basic needs of the household, creating a sewage drainage system, the quality of road network health, the quality of pedestrian paths, expanding the existence of waste disposal sites, access to parks and green space, quality of housing in terms of materials used, and revival and reconstruction of worn-out urban tissues are at a strong and positive level with tourism development. This shows the citizens' high understanding of the social aspect of the quality of life in Tabriz.
 
Funding
There is no funding support.
 
Authors’ Contribution
The authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved the content of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work.
 
Conflict of Interest
The Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
The authors appreciate to all the scientific consultants of this paper.