Communication Factors Affecting the Security Control of Foreign Tourists in Iran

One of the most important factors in the development of tourism and ensuring the security of tourists is the existence of systematic and optimal communication between organizations involved in tourism, so that this relationship has facilitated tourism. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to investigate the impact of communication factors (formal and informal communications and communication channels) affecting the security of foreign tourists in 2016.

The research method is descriptive-analytical and survey type. The statistical population is the staff of the Immigration and Passport Police and the Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization. The sample size was determined using Cochran's relationship of 140 people. The sampling method is proportional and then simple random. In order to measure the research variables, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. The validity of the questionnaire was determined by face-to-face method (using the opinions of 15 experts) and its reliability was obtained by calculating Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.86. The method of analysis was used in the descriptive part of the mean and in the analytical part of the correlation, regression and Friedman.

The results showed that communication channels, formal communication, informal communication, inter-organizational communication and reduction of non-security violations and crimes, have a significant and positive effect on security control. Formal communications have had a significant impact on security control. Informal communications between the police and tourism organizations have a direct effect on security control. The reduction of non-security violations and crimes has a significant and direct effect on security control, as with the reduction of non-security violations and crimes, the security control of foreign tourists increases by about 42%.

The results of Friedman test showed that formal communication with an average rank of 4.6 is in the first place. The second rank belongs to communication channels with an average rank of 4.19 and the third rank belongs to informal communications with an average rank of 2.67.