Resilience Model of Tourism Industry Stakeholders Relying on Socio-Cultural Capacities (Case Study: Selected Tourism Provinces of Iran)

Abstract

Stakeholders in the tourism industry can enhance their resilience to recover from crises and positively impact the national economy. By considering socio-cultural capacities, stakeholders can turn crises into opportunities for growth and sustainable development. Therefore, focusing on building and enhancing the resilience of tourism industry stakeholders is essential for sustainable development. In this regard, the present study aims to provide a resilience model for tourism industry stakeholders by leveraging socio-cultural capacities in selected tourism provinces of Iran (Tehran, Yazd, Isfahan, and Hamedan). This research is fundamental in nature, employing a qualitative research method and conducted using the grounded theory approach. Data were collected through purposive theoretical sampling and in-depth interviews with research experts. The data were then analyzed using data analysis principles and coding foundations with the assistance of MAXQDA software. As a result, the research model is presented in six main categories (causal conditions, the main phenomenon, contextual conditions, intervening factors, strategies, and consequences), six main themes (cultural and spiritual excellence of society, culture of support and innovation, challenges of the tourism industry, resilience of tourism industry stakeholders, resilience management, and resilient and sustainable tourism industry), 18 sub-themes (spiritual health, social cohesion and solidarity, innovation and creativity, governmental and non-governmental support, challenges of the tourism industry, creating resilience and preserving the governing values of the tourism industry, utilizing social and cultural capacities, etc.), and 64 conceptual codes. The implementation of the proposed model is expected to be utilized to enhance the resilience and performance of the tourism industry.

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Over time, disasters and crises have significantly affected the global tourism industry. Crises have increased in frequency and complexity, and the complex structure of the tourism industry, which has a high level of interdependence and interrelationship between stakeholders, makes it highly susceptible to negative events. Therefore, it must be said that the tourism industry stakeholders are forced to look for patterns and methods with what they have so far to be distinct to withstand challenges and crises, accidents and disasters, and maintain their survival in turbulent business conditions. This issue, that is, the resilience of societies, organizations, and businesses against crises and challenges in the coming years, has attracted much attention among writers and researchers. The concept of resilience is one of the newest approaches to crisis management, in which crisis management changes its approach from vulnerability to empowerment. Resilience can be defined as the ability of a system or society to deal with shocks and disturbances, change and development continuity, and the exploitation of such events for reconstruction and innovation, and the ability of the system to predict and rebuild from shocks and crises and the capacity to transform and reach a new normal state.

In tourism, the concept of resilience is largely focused on economic resilience, ignoring cultural or social issues. Tourism is highly dependent on social and cultural systems, and economic resilience ultimately depends on the resilience of these systems. In this regard, understanding the benefits of disaster resilience to reduce disaster risk requires identifying the social and cultural context in which people live and react to it. In this sense, it is important to adapt to the fact that resilience to crisis can be considered at least partially as a culture-dependent phenomenon influenced by diverse domains, characteristics, and indicators operating in specific cultures and countries.

In the meantime, the socio-cultural capacities of countries can also be effective in resiliency in times of crisis and in adapting to the environment and conditions. Socio-cultural factors can increase a country's growth and development rate by improving the resilience of the beneficiaries of the tourism industry in this regard. Therefore, taking into account the importance of the infrastructure of the social and cultural category, the purpose of this research is to provide a model of the resilience of the beneficiaries of the tourism industry, relying on the social and cultural capacities in the selected tourism provinces of Iran.

On the other hand, the determination of these components and indicators from the perspective of tourism experts can also be a basis for the planning of tourism managers and officials and their future decision-making, as well as the evaluation and creation of the resilience of the stakeholders of the tourism industry based on socio-cultural indicators in Iran.



Methodology

This research is fundamentally goal-oriented, practical in terms of data collection, and exploratory. Document and library research methods have been used to gather information. In this research, a qualitative paradigm has been employed. The target population for semi-structured interviews includes university professors, experts, business owners in the tourism sector, and stakeholders in private and public sectors in selected tourism provinces of Iran. The purposeful sampling method continued until data and theoretical saturation were reached. The data analysis was based on a grounded theory approach and conducted using MAXQDA software.



Results and discussion

The research model consists of six main categories (causal conditions, core phenomena, contextual conditions, intervening factors, strategies, and consequences), six main concepts (cultural and spiritual excellence in society, supportive culture and innovation, challenges in the tourism industry, stakeholder resilience, resilience management, and resilient and sustainable tourism industry), and 18 sub-concepts (spiritual well-being, social cohesion and integration, innovation, and creativity, government and non-government support, tourism industry challenges, building resilience and maintaining industry values, utilizing social and cultural capacities, crisis management and preparedness, education and awareness, communication and information sharing, stakeholder engagement, social-cultural trust and security, diversity and adaptability, replication, preservation of local culture, stakeholder well-being and improvement, and sustainable tourism development). Additionally, 64 conceptual codes have been presented.



Conclusion

The presented model shows the important and positive effects of the resilience of the tourism industry stakeholders, which can contribute to the sustainable development and preservation of local culture. These results can be valuable for policymakers, managers, and various institutions related to the tourism industry and can be used in plans and strategies.