Strategies for Sustainable Tourism Development in Ramhormoz County Based on Iranian–Islamic Progress Documents and Leadership Perspectives

Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of formulating strategies for the sustainable tourism development of Ramhormoz County based on Iranian–Islamic progress documents (such as the Horizon 2025 Vision Document and the Second Phase of the Islamic Revolution Statement) and leadership perspectives. Ramhormoz County, with its rich historical, natural, cultural, and religious potential, possesses substantial capacity for tourism development; however, it faces challenges such as weak infrastructure, the absence of comprehensive planning, environmental threats, and insufficient promotion. This research employed a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). In the qualitative phase, using grounded theory and thematic analysis, data derived from three main sources (national upstream policy documents, leadership statements, and interviews with tourism experts) were analyzed. In the quantitative phase, the final model was validated using structural equation modeling (SEM) and a researcher-developed questionnaire. The qualitative findings led to the extraction of a paradigmatic model consisting of six main components: causal factors (geopolitical position, significance of tourism impacts, and environmental concerns), contextual factors (stakeholder participation, education and research, and cultural promotion), intervening factors (good governance, financial management, technology, safety, and security), core factors (foresight, justice and equity, and resource sustainability), strategies (planning and policymaking, marketing, total quality management, monitoring and evaluation, and resource protection), and outcomes (well-being and quality of life, enrichment of Iranian–Islamic culture, tourist satisfaction, and resource conservation). Quantitative results indicated that all relationships in the model were statistically significant, and the goodness-of-fit index (GOF = 0.658) confirmed desirable model fit. Finally, operational strategies were proposed in various domains, including the development of a strategic document, strengthening local participation, developing sustainable infrastructure, targeted marketing, host community training, and establishing a monitoring and evaluation system. These strategies provide a framework for advancing sustainable tourism development in Ramhormoz in alignment with Iranian–Islamic values and in support of national macro-level goals.