An investigation into coastal tourism from climate perspective: a case study of Babolsar city

Today tourism regarded more than an industry as a global and social phenomenon has its own complexities. Climate as environmental phenomena has an important role in tourism industry planning. On the other hand, local communities can have a significant role in recognizing climate potential of a place by using local information. In order to determine climate potentials and assess the ASHARE index, the CIT model and questionnaire field work were employed, respectively. In the study, the thermal, aesthetic, and physical climate variables were also used.Analysis of data showed that during the years 2000 to 2013 in Babolsar city the spring and autumn are shorter than summer and winter and extreme heat and cold stresses are not seen in Babolsar.Based on tourism climate index the most favorite daily condition for coastal tourism in Babolsar city is from the 14th of May to the 4th of June and from the 27th of September to the 16th of October for which the 6.5 (a slight heat stress) degree has been recorded. From the viewpoint of the local community the most favorable condition for coastal tourism to use the coast and the sea is the warm or nearly warm climate condition and the clear sky or a sky with scattered clouds.