Developing Sustainable Behaviors for Underground Heritage Tourism Management: The Case of Persian Qanats, a UNESCO World Heritage Property

Hossein Mousazadeh, Amir Ghorbani (), Hossein Azadi, Farahnaz Akbarzadeh Almani, Ali Zangiabadi, Kai Zhu () and Lóránt Dénes Dávid ()
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Hossein Mousazadeh: Department of Regional Science, Faculty of Science, Eötvös Loránd University, 1053 Budapest, Hungary
Amir Ghorbani: Department of Tourism, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran
Hossein Azadi: Department of Economics and Rural Development, Gembloux Agro-Bio Tech, University of Liège, 5030 Gembloux, Belgium
Farahnaz Akbarzadeh Almani: Department of Tourism Management, Budapest Business School, University of Applied Sciences, 1149 Budapest, Hungary
Ali Zangiabadi: Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 81746-73441, Iran
Kai Zhu: Faculty of Resources and Environmental Science, Hubei University, Wuhan 430062, China
Lóránt Dénes Dávid: Faculty of Economics and Business, John von Neumann University, 6000 Kecskemet, Hungary

Land, 2023, vol. 12, issue 4, 1-17

Abstract: The Persian Qanats, ancient underground aqueduct systems that have provided irrigation water to arid regions in Iran for over 3000 years, are recognized as a vital element of the country’s cultural heritage. Eleven of these impressive structures have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List, underlining their cultural, social, political, and physical significance. As these underground heritage sites offer a unique opportunity for fostering territorial collaboration and social capital between tourists and the local community, it is important to develop a comprehensive model to influence the behavior of tourists, officials, and natives in their treatment of these invaluable sites. This study aimed to design a sustainable behavior model for underground heritage tourism management in Persian Qanats that have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage properties. The research employed a theme analysis approach, utilizing a statistical sample of 22 base managers and Qanat tourism experts. The study used content and thematic analysis to develop a research model that guarantees the sustainable protection of these valuable underground heritage sites by shaping the behavior of tourists, officials, and natives. The proposed model serves as a guideline for effective behavior management, leading to the preservation of these significant underground heritage sites for future generations. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the sustainable management of Persian Qanats and the promotion of a strong sense of territorial collaboration and social capital between tourists and the local community.

Keywords: underground heritage tourism; sustainable tourism management; tourist behavior; thematic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (12)

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