ISSN 0976-2612, Online ISSN 2278–599X, Vol-7, Special Issue-Number2-April, 2016, pp1024-1036
http://www.bipublication.com
Case Report
Studying Effective Factors on Increase of Tourism Sustainability
in the City of Lahijan
Sharareh Seidgar Ghanbar1* and Bahman Ramezani Gourabi2
1M.A. in Geography and Tourism Planning, Rasht Branch,
Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran shararehseydgar@chmail.ir , (Corresponding author)
2
Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Rasht Branch, Islamic Azad University, Rasht, Iran
ABSTRACT
This study by using descriptive - analytical method and through library and documentary studies, field observations and questionnaire has tried to investigate effective factors on increase of tourism sustainability in the city of Lahijan. Its main purpose is studying environmental effective factors to increase tourism sustainability, and research results are as follows. Lahijan tourist attractions, according to the special geographical situation of this region has been various, and natural factors of tourism sustainability and staying in this city include Amirkalayeh Wetland, Satan’s Hill(Sheitan Koh), Haji Abad Pool, Sustan Pool, At'ah Kuh, natural caves, rivers, natural dams and pools, and beautiful beaches, and tea gardens, teapot national park , Baam-e-Sabz, Lahijan Gondola. Human factors of tourism sustainability in this city are Sheikh Zahed Gilani's Shrine, Iran's National Tea Museum (Kashef- al-Saltaneh Tomb), Bulvar, Agricultural Stations etc. The results of questionnaire and author's field studies have shown that more than 60 percent of respondents have suggested very high satisfaction on traveling Lahijan, and have expressed the way of familiarity with this city their friends, family and advertising. They also have encouraged their friends and relatives to travel this region and believe tourism potential in this city are very much. There are factors in this city that have result in short-term tourism sustainability which are: lack of affordable residential units and lack informing tourist attraction, insufficient afford to stay in residential units, and lack of appropriate tourism infrastructure. Respondent also have stated that the main reason of poor tourism in this city are lack of official support and lack of awareness about the region. The majority of respondents believe that effective factors to increase tourism sustainability in Lahijan are suitable landscapes of residences, variety of tourist attractions in their residence, proximity of the residence to the main roads, different tourist attractions and beautiful beaches; and more than 50 percent of them believe the role that topography and climate conditions of Lahijan play to increase of tourism sustainability are very high.
Key words:- Factors, Increase of Sustainability, Tourism, Lahijan
1. INTRODUCTION
The importance of the environment as a dynamic platform of human activities is the central argument of geography. Contemporary man tries to convert physical planet to a cultural one through geographical arrangements, and by making balance between human beings and environment create healthier life to everybody and
course of arriving tourists etc., on the one hand, has caused these problems have an adverse impact on the quantity and quality of tourism industry, and on the other hand, has caused tourism in Iran, as deserves, do not considered serious issue. Therefore, it seems that to progress in this field, particularly in the field of natural resource, Iranian tourism industry should be developed and managed through a consistent, controlled, and sustained manner and on the basis of effective planning. Thus, tourism will have considerable economic benefits without creating serious social, environmental problems to Iran, and moreover, tourism interests will preserve to future use. Meanwhile, natural attractions and ecotourism of Iran can along with capabilities of cultural heritage help the improvement of Iran tourism, and also examination and recognition of tourist attractions of every province are highly important. Moreover, Guilin province, due to having pristine and beautiful environment, "sea and mountain", can be pioneer of development and prosperity of tourism industry in Iran, and by identifying relevant areas deals with the potential of natural environment, and provide suitable strategies to attract tourist.
-Richard, Julia Sharpley, 2001, in the book of "rural tourism", translated by Rahmat Allah Monshi zadeh and Fateme Nasiri, has stated that, tourism with all its types and forms are going to be the first leading activity of global economy. Rural tourism, as one of the most important forms of tourism contains the outstanding contributions in this regard. At present, rural tourism is considered as one of the most popular types of tourism, and according to authorities, annually, more than seventy percent of tourists take advantage of variety of rural tourism in entertainments of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in industrialized countries. -Divday Fenoll, 2006, in his book, "an introduction to ecotourism", translated by Jafar Oladi Qadi kalaee, says that the concept of ecotourism, as the color of chameleons, is constantly changing; what ecologists, initially
mentioned it as a general concept to severe prevention of environmental degradation. It is obvious that ecotourism results in a thriving job market in developed and developing countries. -Georges Cases, François Puttee, in the book of
"urban tourism", translated by Salaheddin
Mahallati, 2003, has focused on tourism and urban tourism, and preparation of urban spaces to tourism, and says, urban spaces are the most important spaces that tourists have visited and stayed in them, which for a long time were the most attractive spaces. Because cities are the most developed and the most complete human habitation. In general, the movement of million people during the hours and days in cities will have a great impact, in terms of spatial, cultural and social, etc. structures on cities, and of course, the economic impact of tourism on the city is undeniable.
- Cultural Heritage Handcrafts and Tourism
Organization, 1993 also has performed
comprehensive tourism plans in Guilan province. And the purpose of implementing these projects, is investigating the problems derived from tourism, and forecasting development effects. - Rahmat Allah Monshi zadeh , 1997, in his book "tourism", at first has considered the definitions and concepts of tourism, and then has discussed economic dimension of tourism, effective factors and planning in tourism, places, values, positive and negative reflections of tourism industry, tourism and its position in Iran, and says, according to global importance of this industry, our country, Iran, undoubtedly, due to diverse
natural attractions, beautiful geographical
landscapes, great historical heritage, holy shrines, and innovative and magnificent works of arts, has a special position that as a result of more attention can become one of the great touristic poles of the world, and attract millions of tourists to this territory.
soil, restrictions of industry, as a result of pollution and its marginal issues, the development of tourism industry is the most essential issue to planning managers, so that because of population growth, prevent destruction of these resources, and on the other hand, by creating jobs, reduce unemployment, poverty in this region.
- Mohammad Hadi Homayoon, 2005, in the Book of "tourism as a cross-cultural communication", At first has paid attention to the tourism between economy and culture, a model to policy making, tourism in the contemporary world and then, to tourism in Islam as a cross-cultural approach, and says that more attention of government to development of tourism, and the difference of Islam principles, and mass tourism, the necessity of thought in Islamic principles, Islamic pattern of tourism, ending mass tourism, and the possibility of providing new patterns are some cases that should be planned.
-Hasan Qare Nejad, 2007, in the book of "an introduction to the development of tourism and
hospitality", has discussed and examined
successful and promising future of tourism and hospitality, on the one hand, and new and effective initiatives to expansion of the world's third largest industry, on the other hand, and also
has indicated sustainability of tourism
development, hospitality and environment, and tourism and the impacts of this great industry on cultural environment, and ecotourism and its impact on the growth and sustainable development of tourism and hospitality industry.
-Mehdi Novan Hadi Lahiji, 2003, in his master's thesis, entitled "the study of Lahijan natural appearance with emphasis on climate” says that the results of studies showed that Lahijan in terms of topography has constitute of smooth and high areas, more geological formations of the region is related to the first, second and fourth period, which according to other natural conditions, through paying attention environmental issues, can have potential ability to exploitation of mineral resource; forest cover of the region, in addition to creating high capacity to tourism, in
the case of considering the principles of exploitation is potentially suitable to the wood industry.
-Ramezani, Bahman and Nikdel, Nasrin, 2010, in their paper, entitled recognition of effective factors on increasing tourists staying period in the city Some Sara, have stated that Some Sara has a diverse tourism resources, but these resources have not been properly recognized to exploitation and attract tourists. The research results have shown that there is a significant relationship between the facilities and staying period and sig = 0.02, but there is no significant relationship
between introduction and recognition of
attractions and staying period.
-Sharareh Seidgar, 2013, in her MA thesis, in the field of geography and tourism planning, "Studying Effective Factors on Increase of Tourism Sustainability in the City of Lahijan" in Rasht Islamic Azad University, has concluded that Lahijan in terms of tourism’s sustainability natural factors, coastal areas, plains, and piedmont and mountainous region is unique. And the majority of respondents in statistical universe has expressed very high and high satisfaction on travel to Lahijan, and also has expressed the way of familiarity with this city, their friends, family and advertising; and believe that there are factors that result in short-term staying of tourists in this city which are lack of affordable dwelling places and lack informing tourist attraction, insufficient afford to stay in dwelling places, and lack of appropriate tourism infrastructure.
-Lelhaj, Rafie, and Hassan Sattari Sareban Gholi, 2014, in their article, entitled "The Role of the city's public spaces, in tourism sustainability and improving tourism", the first national conference on tourism, and green tourism, Hamadan,
association of Hegmataneh environmental
assessors, have suggested that the city is combination of public, semi-public, and private spaces that are closely related to each other. Public spaces, as the main body of collective life in the open spaces of cities play an important role to attract people and their presence in cities. In urban areas of Iran, formic and semantic factors along with qualities related to the activities and human behaviour can be considered as the main factors to make public spaces. This paper in addition to study new urban public spaces, such as City Hall, Parks, and Promenades etc. tries to deal with their effective role to retention tourism, and urban tourism. The results indicate that public spaces and quality of these spaces (architectural design, welfare, health, leisure, security facilities, etc.) to what extent are effective and important to attract tourism sustainability. The issue temporary residence, cleanliness and hygiene, safety, respectively are more important to tourists.
Tourists believe these are very effective to attract and retention of tourism in a city.
Lahijan is one of the most beautiful cities of Guilan province, which by having beach, sea, plains, mountains and historical and touristic monuments, along with its suitable climatic conditions can have a variety of tourism facilities. Therefore factors such as suitable climate, topography, surface and groundwater resources, proximity to the provincial capital Rasht, and suitable roads, geologic forms, etc., can play a role to enhance tourism duration period, which this study tries to show the effects of these factors by using questionnaires, field observations, and library and documentary studies.
2. MATERIALAND METHODS
Lahijan is located in the East of Guilan Province,
and in geographic coordinates of 50˚ 13' 26" to
49˚ 45' 27" east longitude, and in 37 23' 30" to 37˚ 04' 50" north latitude. This city, from the North and West is limited to Astaneh- ye Ashrafiyeh, from the south and south-East to Langarud, from the South West to Siahkal and Rasht, from the East north and east is limited to Caspian Sea and Langarud. This city in terms of political division is divided into two parts of Rudbaneh and central district, and seven villages that are Rudbaneh, Shirjeposht, Ahandan, Bazkiyagoorab, Lafmajan, Lialestan and Lil. The total area of this city is 429.55 km2, its population is 162,898 inhabitants and 48,106 household (Statistical Yearbook of Guilan, 2013). Research method is descriptive - analytical method and using field studies, questionnaires, and interviews with some tourists and native people. The method of data collection is library, documentary and field method. This study, in terms of its theoretical- applied and discussions, has used documentary and field study. In documentary study, the methods of collecting information, data, statistics, taking
advantage of libraries and archives of
questionnaire, objective observations, and interviews have been used.
Therefore, in this section of research, according to the above-mentioned subject, at first, the maps of study area has been provided at the scale of 1: 100,000 , then by using this map, others maps such as soil, herbal Coverage, topography and water network have been provided. To complete information has referred to the region and in addition to observe study area some local officials and authorities were interviewed. Data analysis in this research has been performed descriptive and in some parts through applied form and by using software SPSS.
Research statistical universe is the whole of Lahijan and people, those who have travelled to
this city; of course, these people may include people within the province and outside it. Therefore, to study the environmental effective factors to increase tourism sustainability in Lahijan, 382 persons will be questioned as the sample size. In total, the most important research data are statistics of Meteorological Organization to climatic studies, statistics of Management and
Planning Organization, such as national
population and housing census of the city, and the Statistical Yearbook of Guilan province to population studies, statistics of Guilan and Lahijan Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization to number of tourists, those who have entered to Lahijan, and data derived from the questionnaire.
Map, the situation of Lahijan in the country and Guilan province 3. RESULTS
Nowadays many countries are trying to provide necessary facilities to growth and development of tourism industry in their country, because tourism and ecotourism activities are one of the major ways to earn money; tourism industry, in developing countries, is the highest source of income even after of oil revenues. The main purpose of tourism is enabling people to enjoy and learn from the unique characteristics of the environment, either natural and historical or cultural, subject to protect all regions and contribute to the development of economic opportunities in local communities.
factors in Lahijan are human and natural that each of them will be discussed as follow.
Natural and Human Factors of Tourism
sustainability
Natural factors of tourism sustainability in Lahijan is very diverse and some of them are, Chamkhaleh beautiful beaches, sea, Satan’s Hill (Sheitan Koh), At'ah Kuh, Haji Abad natural Pool, Sustan Pool,
Sheikhanbar waterfall, dams, tea gardens,
Agricultural Stations, Amirkalayeh Wetland (Sheikh Ali Kal), rivers of Disam and Shamrood,
natural caves such as At'ah Kuh, Dizbon, Miksal, Darjan, Toshi, Babkuh, Sqarabad, Malumeh, Pish Olya, Dolfak, Tanakuh and Joshar. Human factors of tourism sustainability in Lahijan are Sheikh Zahed Gilani’s Shrine, in Sheikhaneh var, National Tea Museum and Kashef- al-Saltaneh Tomb, Lahijan Gondola, Brick Bridge (pole Kheshti), sports attractions, roads, Lahijan Daily Markets, crafts, local foods, cookies and Nooshin etc.
Table Natural and human factors of tourism sustainability in Lahijan
4. DISCUSSION
A survey on Tourists, Those who stay in the Province and Cities According to statistical reports of Cultural Heritage Organization in 2012, the number of tourist, those who enter dwelling places of Guilan province are 1,247,958 people; in which 1,214,002 have been Iranian and the rest, 33956 people, have been foreigners. Bandar-e
Anzali, by having 759,889 tourists, has had the highest number of tourist, and Siahkal by 356 people, has had the lowest number. Accordingly, and in 2012, from 27321Iranian and foreign tourists in Lahijan, 26960 persons were Iranian tourists and the rest 361 foreign tourists (Guilan Cultural Heritage Organization, 2014).
Table 2 the number of tourist and monthly capacity of Guilan dwelling places, 2012
Row City
Tourists those who have
resided in residential units Indices
Iranian Foreign Total
Bed occupancy
rate
Room occupancy
rate
The rate of foreign tourists
The average
staying period
of Iranian tourists
The average staying period
of foreign tourists
The average
staying period
of all tourists
1 Astara 75215 27510 102725 40.03 39.07 26.78 1.84 1.86 1.84
2 Astaneh-ye
Ashrafiyeh 6398 7 6405 20.46 20.81 0.11 2.03 3.14 2.03
3 Amlash 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
4 Bandar-e
Anzali 758243 1646 759889 89.26 69.54 0.22 1.72 1.83 1.72
5 Talysh 10832 36 10868 19.33 17.58 0.33 2.02 2.08 2.02
6 Rasht 131181 2727 133908 59.51 64.24 2.04 1.99 2.24 1.99
7 Rezvanshahr 6682 0 6682 44.02 41.25 0.00 1.76 0.00 1.76
8 Roudbar 4439 0 4439 30.15 32.61 0.00 1.74 0.00 1.74
9 Roudsar 90036 74 90110 37.43 35.969 0.08 2.30 1.92 2.30
10 Siahkal 256 0 256 8.55 6.90 0.00 2.36 0.00 2.36
11 Shaft 0 0 0 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
12 Some Sara 6425 10 6435 26.29 22.26 0.16 1.87 2.00 1.87
13 Fooman 44774 1571 46345 56.12 52.95 3.39 1.82 1.93 1.82
14 Lahijan 26960 361 27321 43.82 43.03 1.32 1.81 2.00 1.81
15 Langarud 45302 14 45316 50.97 51.60 0.03 2.57 1.71 2.56
16 Masal 7259 0 7259 32.22 31.19 0.00 1.92 0.00 1.92
Total 1214002 33956 1247958 61.24 57.10 2.72 2.84 2.89 2.87
Permanent and Temporary Dwelling Places and Residence Centres in Guilan Province According to statistical reports of Cultural Heritage Organization in 2014, 6,394,421 dwelling places have been used, from March 15 to April 3, which among them 962 809 units have rented in Astara,
Table the number of tourists in Guilan permanent and temporary residential centers (people) by separating the city (March 2014)
Row Cities
The number of residential
units
Hotel, apartment
hotel, complexes and motels
Rental homes
School classes
Temporary camps and tents in parks, the margin of boulevards
etc
The period of residing in
other residential centers (guest
houses of offices, student dormitories,
sports halls etc.)
Total
the percent of ratio to total stay
1 Astara 60 40550 15952 19093 529230 357984 962809 15.06
2 Rasht 64 30887 19918 51850 581868 274900 959423 15.00
3 Lahijan 114 26818 38198 17724 615495 187767 886002 13.86
4 Bandar-e
Anzali 190 43527 43889 10144 539700 238211 875471 13.69
5 Roudsar 48 28751 10725 11628 395700 168293 615097 9.26
6 Langarud 14 27590 8221 5678 307600 117410 466499 7.30
7 Fooman 189 13157 14167 5435 175290 144793 352842 5.52
8 Talysh 21 7904 7998 9812 107020 79880 212614 3.32
9 Roudbar 8 2290 6588 5748 138300 25832 178758 2.80
10 Masal 8 790 2582 480 156182 10683 170717 2.67
11 Astaneh-ye
Ashrafiyeh 8 3984 6583 6875 104130 12284 133856 2.09
12 Amlash 2 573 0 259 123476 2740 127048 1.99
13 Rezvanshahr 4 1616 1070 8075 94490 19141 124392 1.95
14 Shaft 223 556 2046 1145 115300 1455 120502 1.88
15 Some Sara 4 2182 1894 4268 95052 3934 107330 1.68
16 Siahkal 1 273 3917 978 93692 2201 101061 1.58
Total 955 231448 183748 159192 4172525 1647508 6394421 100.00
Daily Residents in Guilan Province
According to statistical reports of Cultural Heritage Organization from March 15 2013 to April 3 2014, 231 448 people have resided in Guilanian hotels and resort hotels, apartment hotel, and motels; which, 173 850 cases have redided in hotels and resort hotels, and at the same
time, about 14517 ones have stayed in apartment hotel, and about 43081tourists have stayed in motels. Total residents in a day has been 13 360
ones, which, 10463, 907,1990 pessons
respectively have resided in hotels and resort hotels, apartment hotel, and motels (Guilan Cultural Heritage Organization, 2014)
Table 4 bed occupancy rate and permanent residence Centres ( March 15, 2013 to April 3, 2014)
Unit Name Total capacity in a
day
the percent of
capacity in a day Total resident
bed occupancy rate
hotels and resort hotels 10463 78.32 173850 103.85
apartment hotel 907 6.79 14517 100.03
motel 1990 14.89 43.081 135.30
total 13360 100 231448 108.27
Diagrm1 the present of bed occupancy rate and permanent residence Centres ( March 15, 2013 to April 3, 2014)
Tourists in Residential Units
According to statistical reports of Cultural Heritage Organization, in 2007, the number of tourists, those who resided in residential units have been 447 257 persons that these number in 2012 have reached to 1,247,958.
Row Year
Tourists those who have resided in
residential units Indices
Iranian Foreign Total
Bed occupancy
rate
Room occupancy
rate
The rate of foreign tourists
The average staying period
of Iranian tourists
The average
staying period
of foreign tourists
The average staying period of all tourists
1 2007 406880 40377 447257 30.00 28.55 9.03 1.60 1.20 1.40
2 2008 512977 31358 544335 40.39 38.44 5.76 1.85 1.70 1.78
3 2009 649799 19917 669716 46.50 43.53 2.97 1.94 1.72 1.83
4 2010 732162 30754 762916 47.14 44.02 4.03 1.87 1.92 1.90
5 2011 1013651 32548 1046199 48.56 46.08 4.11 1.91 1.95 1.93
6 2012 1214002 33956 1247958 61.24 57.10 2.72 2.84 2.89 2.87
Analysing Tourist Residence in Lahijan
Cities as Lahijan, which has long been touristic and have various tourist attractions, always, have had their own travellers and most of those who travel to this region, mainly are familiar with this region, or are introduced by others. Among 382 people in Lahijan Statistical universe, 67 respondents (17.5 percent) have said that their residential places has been hotel, 34 respondents (8.9 percent) has announced it travel tent, 47 respondents (12.3%) said that they have resided in rental rooms, and the rest, i.e. 234 respondents (61.2 percent) have mentioned it other places,
such as schools, corporate houses, parks, pavements, car, etc. (Source: author's Field studies, 2016).
region, etc. have created numerous problems to tourism of this city. Among 382 respondents of Statistical universe in Lahijan, 145 respondents (37.9 percent) have believed that main cause of poor tourism in Lahijan is lack of official support, 132 respondents (34.5 percent) have stated this reason lack of tourists' awareness, and 49
respondents (12.8%) have referred it
unwillingness of rural people, and 56 respondents (14.6 percent) have suggested other reasons (author's Field studies, 2016).
Duration of Staying Tourists in Lahijan
Duration of staying tourists in Lahijan indicates that whether this city has necessary ability or potential to reception of tourists or not. Therefore, among 382 respondents of Statistical universe in Lahijan, duration of stay of 85 respondents (22.2 percent) has been a day or less than a day; 117 respondents (30.6%) has stated this period two days, 105 respondents (27.4%) three to five days, and 75 respondents (19.6 percent) has expressed this period more than five days (author's Field studies, 2016).
The Most Duration of Stay in Lahijan
Lahijan by having beach, sea, forest, mountains have provided conditions to people with different tastes, and have caused all travellers stopped in this area and take advantage of this natural potential. Therefore, most of those who come from big and small cities to this region prefer using its pristine forest coverage and areas such as Satan’s Hill (Sheitan Koh), etc., and having most of stay period in these areas. among 382 respondents of Statistical universe in Lahijan, the most duration of stay in 98 respondents (25.6 percent) have been in pristine forest, to 33 respondents (8.6 percent) has been mountainous areas, 59 respondents (15.4%) have spent this period in plain and pasture, and this time to 92 respondents (24.1 percent) has been near beaches, and 100 respondents (26.18 percent) have expressed it in urban areas.
Short-Term Sustainability of Tourism in Lahijan Some factors have been very effective to sustainability of tourism, which are, lack
informing tourist attraction, insufficient afford to stay in residential units, lack of appropriate tourism infrastructure, and lack of affordable residential units. Among 382 respondents of Statistical universe in Lahijan, 95 of the respondents (24.8%) have stated lack informing tourist attraction as short-term sustainability of tourism; 59 respondents (15.4 percent) have expressed it insufficient afford to stay in residential units, to 72 respondents (18.8 percent) it was lack of appropriate tourism infrastructure, and 156 respondents (40.8 percent) have stated lack of affordable residential units as short-term sustainability of tourism (author's Field studies, 2016).
Effective Factors to Tourism Sustainability Period There are numerous effective factors that have played a role to enhance tourism sustainability period in a region that according to the tastes of people are diverse. Any tourist can be interested in something that attracts him. In Lahijan, factors such as suitable landscapes of residences, variety of tourist attractions in their residence, proximity of the residence to the main roads, high quality residential facilities etc. are factors affecting the sustainability of tourism in Lahijan. Among 382 respondents of statistical universe in Lahijan, 192 respondents (50.2%) have believed that suitable landscapes of residences is the main effective factor that increase tourism sustainability period, variety of tourist attractions in their residence has been selected by 52 respondents (13.6%) as effective factor, 77 respondents (20.1 percent) has stated proximity of the residence to the main roads as the effective factor, and according to 61 respondents (15.9 percent) high quality residential facilities is effective factors to increase tourism sustainability period (author's field studies, 2016). The Role of Tourism Attractions and Beautiful Beaches in Tourism Sustainability Period
increase tourism sustainability period. Among 382 respondents of statistical universe in Lahijan, according 85 respondents (22.2 percent), the role of environmental factors have been very high to increase tourism sustainability, and this role to 163 respondents (42.6%), 124 respondents (32.4%) and 10 respondents (2.6 percent) respectively have been high, medium and low(author's field studies, 2016).
The Role of Topography and Climatic Conditions to Increase Tourism Sustainability in Lahijan Mechanized life crowds in big cities have directed most of people to a less crowded and pristine areas, but Lahijan due to proximity to the provincial capital, and its special backgrounds and geographic conditions, despite overcrowded of this city, have brought about entering tourists, and this city, often welcome tourists and tourism. Among 382 respondents of statistical universe in Lahijan, 78 respondents (20.4 percent) have
expressed the role of topography and climatic conditions to increase tourism sustainability in Lahijan very high, and 143 respondents (37.4%), 137 (35.8 percent), and 24 respondents (6.2%) respectively have suggested its role high, medium and low (author's field studies, 2016).
Tourism Potential and Its Impact on Tourism Sustainability in Lahijan
Lahijan is one of regions that have a variety of tourism potential and having the beach, sea, plains, mountains, and historical monuments and its unique regions has caused each traveler remember this region by good memories. Among 382 respondents of statistical universe in Lahijan, six respondents (1.5 percent) have believed that tourism potential in this city us very high, and 141 respondents (36.9%), 321 respondents (57.8%), 14 respondents (3.6 percent) respectively have expressed this potential high, medium and low.
Table effective factors to increase tourism sustainability period
Description Very high High Medium Low Score
tourism potential in Lahijan 39.5 43.7 14.5 2.1 Positive
Topography and climatic conditions to
increase tourism sustainability 20.4 37.4 35.8 6.2 Positive
Tourism attractions and beautiful beaches in
tourism sustainability period 22.2 42.6 32.4 2.6 Positive
CONCLUSION
Tourism in today's world is a clean industry, and the third dynamic thriving and developing economic phenomenon, which after oil and automobile industries is ahead of other global industries. What has made tourism as a factor of development process is flow of capital, culture and information in an overlap with factors such as increase of income, the level of welfare, more leisure time, and improvement of communication. Touristic high capacities, either natural or cultural ones has caused that Iran be known as one of the top ten countries in the world in term of tourist
attractions. Guilan province, due to its
geographical and natural conditions in Iran, is unique, and its landscapes, despite small area, is very diversity; this province due to its unique
Guilan despite having historical, religious and natural tourist attraction and due to failing to effective policy making in this sector has not yet success to reach its own position in the tourism market, and this has caused a lot of economic - social problems that can be resolved by development of tourism. Lahijan is one of the most beautiful cities of Guilan province, which by having beach, sea, plains, mountains and historical and tourism monuments, along with its suitable conditions can have a variety of tourism facilities. its natural tourist attractions are Amirkalayeh Wetland (Sheikh Ali Kal) in Shirjeposht and in North of Lahijan, Satan’s Hill (Sheitan Koh), At’ah Kuh, and Badlook Chah, pool and Bulvar, Haji Abad natural Pool, Sustan Pool, Agricultural Station, tea gardens, national parks (teapot Park), waterfall, Baam-e-Sabz, rivers, beaches, caves, and weather of Lahijan that each of them are useful to attract tourism.
In terms of recreational and sports attractions, traditional theatre that rooted in the culture and livelihood behaviour of our people can be named, for example Ahoo Chare, bull fighting, and slack lining; that in the case of having a proper organizing to attract travellers and entertaining them will be very useful. Lahijan Gondola is another attraction that has been inaugurated in 2005 on Baam-e-Sabz, and pristine natural landscapes such as tea gardens and beautiful village of Kuh Bijar in the path of Gondola movement are observable, of course, to welfare of tourists, facilities such as buffet, pavilions, children's parks, parking, playgrounds, traditional markets, summer sleigh, wildlife, and aquarium have been implemented, that are very effective to attract tourism. On the other hand, due to beautiful and green mountains in Lahijan, providing facilities of climbing sports among young people will be possible, and even facilities such as water skiing and boating can be developed in Lahijan artificial pool; rivers of this city due to this fact that are permanent have the possibility to provide recreations such as kayaking and fishing, and also, there are, near the rivers, the possibility of
developing services and temporary and permanent residences, especially on river terraces that all are very effective to attract tourism. Natural pools, dams and wetlands also can be used in different ways. In total, Lahijan is one of regions that have a variety of tourism potential and having the beach, sea, plains, mountains, and historical monuments and its unique regions has caused each traveller remember this region by good memories. There are some factors that are very effective on tourism sustainability period which are lack informing tourist attraction, insufficient afford to stay in residential units, lack of appropriate tourism infrastructure and lack of affordable residential unit; and to increase tourism sustainability period of this city some factors play key roles that are suitable landscapes of residences, variety of tourist attractions in their residence, proximity of the residence to the main roads, high quality residential facilities etc. In every region, some attractions and potentials, has caused that the region compare to other regions contain more tourists; there are, in Lahijan, numerous attractions and beautiful beaches, together and with short distances that per se can increase tourism sustainability period.
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