Urban Tourism
leila Oveisi; akbar Pourfaraj; mohammadamir oveisi
Abstract
Key Highlights- Examination of child-friendly tourism in commercial and recreational complexes.- Identification of 39 key indicators for child-centered design and planning.- Application of a mixed-method approach (Thematic Analysis and FMEA) for prioritization.- Recommendations for private and public ...
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Key Highlights- Examination of child-friendly tourism in commercial and recreational complexes.- Identification of 39 key indicators for child-centered design and planning.- Application of a mixed-method approach (Thematic Analysis and FMEA) for prioritization.- Recommendations for private and public sector collaboration to enhance child tourism.- Emphasis on comprehensive design to improve the family and child experience in urban environments. IntroductionChildren, as the bridge between past and future generations, are highly vulnerable and possess unique needs, attitudes, and expectations. The rise of child-friendly tourism is a response to the modern need for structured leisure opportunities, influenced by lifestyle changes such as the shift from extended to nuclear families, increased migration and urbanization, apartment living, and reduced play spaces for children.Urban expansion, population growth, and evolving patterns of leisure and consumption have made commercial and recreational complexes integral to tourism and urban entertainment. However, inadequate design and failure to address children’s needs in these spaces not only hinder tourism development and community welfare but can also lead to economic, cultural, and social setbacks. Poorly designed spaces contribute to behavioral issues, dissatisfaction among visitors, and diminished overall experiences.Given the competitive nature of the tourism industry, businesses are increasingly focusing on child-centered products and services. This study aims to analyze the feasibility of child-friendly tourism indicators in the Persian Gulf Commercial and Recreational Complex in Yazd, one of the largest urban centers, by identifying key factors influencing child-centered space development. Theoretical FrameworkUrban tourism, particularly in commercial-recreational environments, serves as a catalyst for economic, cultural, and social development. From a child tourism perspective, these spaces should not only be safe but also stimulating and participatory.Previous research highlights the significant impact of child-centered environments on learning, personal growth, and social interactions. Theories from child psychology and urban design emphasize the importance of appropriately scaled spaces and environments that cater to children’s physical, psychological, and social needs. This study employs frameworks related to social justice, participatory design, and sustainable tourism to analyze the development of child-friendly spaces. Research MethodologyThis study employs a mixed-method approach consisting of two main phases: Qualitative Phase:Methodology: Thematic Analysis using Clarke and Braun’s six-stage framework.Data Collection: In-depth interviews with 31 experts in child tourism, architecture, and psychology.Outcome: Identification of 39 indicators categorized into seven key themes:InfrastructureManagementSafetyEducationSocio-Cultural AspectsVisual DesignRecreation Quantitative Phase:Methodology: Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) for prioritizing indicators based on risk assessment.RPN Calculation:Data Collection: Expert evaluations of the 39 indicators using a 5-point Likert scale.Outcome: Prioritization of key indicators to develop practical policies and strategies. Results and DiscussionFindings indicate that commercial-recreational complexes hold significant potential to become child-friendly spaces, provided that comprehensive planning addresses children’s specific needs. The main indicators identified include:Physical Infrastructure: Easy accessibility, child-friendly restrooms, safe play areas, facilities for children with special needs, and surveillance systems.Management and Planning: Development of guidelines for child-centered spaces, child-friendly marketing, and incentive policies for families.Safety and Security: Installation of safety barriers, regular sanitation, and electronic monitoring systems.Education and Personal Growth: Implementation of creative educational activities, social skill development programs, and interactive play opportunities.Socio-Cultural Needs: Promoting social interactions through group activities, parental involvement in recreational programs, and fostering local cultural values.Visual Design: Use of bright colors, child-appropriate scales, and appealing lighting.Recreation and Events: Organizing competitions, festivals, and artistic activities to strengthen children’s sense of belonging.Prioritization of Indicators Using FMEA:Development of comprehensive child-centered management guidelines (RPN: 370.58)Design of appropriately scaled child spaces (RPN: 368.69)Creation of interactive spaces to enhance place attachment (RPN: 346.99)The results suggest that intelligent and holistic design can significantly improve the family and child experience while increasing the economic and social appeal of these complexes. ConclusionThis study underscores the necessity of developing child-friendly tourism in urban environments and commercial-recreational complexes. These spaces play a critical role in fulfilling the needs of families and children, fostering social interactions, learning, and leisure activities.Key Recommendations:Comprehensive Child-Centered Design: Spaces should be designed with children’s physical, psychological, and social needs in mind, ensuring accessibility, safety, and engagement.Strategic Management and Planning: The development of child-focused management policies and long-term planning is crucial. Public-private sector collaboration can enhance resource allocation.Investment in Safe and Sustainable Infrastructure: Ensuring the presence of safety measures, sanitation, and inclusive play areas can improve family participation and satisfaction.Enhancing Social and Cultural Engagement: Organizing events such as competitions, festivals, and educational programs can enrich children’s social experiences and encourage parental involvement.Economic and Social Benefits for Local Communities: Well-designed commercial-recreational complexes can attract tourists, stimulate local economies, and create employment opportunities.Long-Term Sustainability: As children’s needs evolve alongside technological advancements, continuous investment in research and innovation is vital to maintaining the appeal and functionality of child-friendly spaces.The case study of the Persian Gulf Commercial and Recreational Complex in Yazd demonstrates that with careful planning, these spaces can be transformed into child-friendly destinations. While steps have been taken to integrate child-friendly features, further improvements in management, design, and investment are necessary.This research advocates for urban planners and policymakers to prioritize child-centered design and management as a strategy for enhancing urban quality of life and promoting sustainable tourism. Effective collaboration between government entities, private sectors, and child tourism experts can create inclusive and sustainable environments that increase family satisfaction and boost global competitiveness.
Urban Tourism
Mohammad Bagher Nadi; reza akbari; Mohsen Rafian
Abstract
Highlights
- Citizens, tourists, students, investors, and urban management as important beneficiaries of urban branding.
- Importance of establishing a destination management organization in Iran.
- Importance of creating an urban brand for the competitive advantage of the city.
- Identification ...
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Highlights
- Citizens, tourists, students, investors, and urban management as important beneficiaries of urban branding.
- Importance of establishing a destination management organization in Iran.
- Importance of creating an urban brand for the competitive advantage of the city.
- Identification of the various labels given to Yazd with respect to heritage and history, religion and spirituality, industry and production, and the environment.
Introduction
The choice of cities for life, tourism, education, and investment depends on their perceived images, and the process of creating a positive image of a city is called urban branding. Urban branding is one of the most important factors in the development of the tourism industry. In Iran, this issue has received less attention despite the high potentials of many cities for branding (Dinnie, 2013, p. 16). Therefore, the purpose of this article was to examine the various aspects of this issue in order to provide a model to facilitate urban branding in the development of tourism.
Theoretical Framework
A brand is a concept designed to develop a product (Chan et al., 2021, p. 331), and involves two definition categories. In the first category, a brand is defined as a set of related assets and liabilities and a brand name (Gómez et al., 2018, p. 191). In the second category, it is defined as a collection of perceptions that are there in people’s minds (Hildreth, 2012, p. 4). The brand of a city, like that of a product, is an external signal that evokes emotions, increases awareness, and influences behaviors (Gómez et al., 2018, p. 191), but it may be more complex because of ownership, stakeholder participation, and brand development (Herget et al., 2015, p. 120; Yang et al., 2018, p. 1).
Methodology
Since official branding plans are not very common in Iran, and no official branding plan was developed in the city of Yazd, a qualitative method has been used in the present study along with the grounded theory. For this purpose, the first group was selected for in-depth semi-structured interviews, which included professionals in urban management, tourism, and academics, based on criteria such as familiarity with the concepts of branding and tourism and with the city of Yazd and availability and preparedness for cooperation. The next groups were introduced for interview by the same group. Sampling continued until no more new idea was created, and the research achieved theoretical saturation and adequacy. It should be noted that the twelfth sample achieved partial saturation, but the research process continued until the fourteenth.
Result and Discussion
Many studies concerning urban branding and tourism indicate that urban branding has a positive effect on tourism prosperity–including (Feyzi et al., 2020; Herget et al., 2015; Jojic, 2018; Mousavi et al., 2017; Shutaieva et al., 2020). The present research was conducted to facilitate branding in Yazd based on the results of these studies and in line with some others–including (Ghanbari et al., 2021; Hankinson, 2007; Menvariyan et al., 2013; Mohammadifar, 2018; Setiadi et al., 2021)which have sought to provide strategies and present a model for further prosperity of tourism through creation or enhancement of branding. Thus, it can be effective in the creation or enhancement of urban branding and monitoring of its proper implementation besides formation of a special working group on branding or establishment of a destination management organization to adopt strategies such as attracting the participation of public institutions in development and implementation of branding plans, training managers and employees to better implement branding projects, holding international celebrations and events for brand development, and developing the tourism infrastructure. This will also have positive consequences from various economic, social, environmental, physical, and urban management aspects.
Conclusion
- The five groups of citizens, tourists, students, investors, and urban management are the stakeholders who benefit in the short term and in the long term from urban branding if the city is properly branded. Therefore, different cities in the world need to adopt appropriate branding and competition strategies to attract the above stakeholders for life, tourism, education, and investment.
- Despite their high potentials for branding, many cities in Iran do not have urban branding administrators, and the tourism sector is even spread in organizations such as municipalities, directorates for cultural heritage, and chambers of commerce. A destination management organization must be established to enhance integrated urban management, and its branches in different cities must undertake to create or enhance an urban brand and monitor its continuity.
- In urban branding, it is important to consider the distinctive, competitive identity of the city, so it is necessary to manage several brands that are sometimes developed unofficially and unilaterally in different cities (as in Yazd), as brand confusion in cities indicates a lack of coordination between different organizations, and creates challenges that outweigh its benefits.
