-On the Strategic Analysis of Tourism Indexes (Case Study: Chaboksar City, Guilan Province)

Lack of integrated management of tourism development, lack of education, and poor professional knowledge and traditional approach to the tourism and etc. are tourism problems of Chaboksar. Urban tourism development requires knowing the potentials and capabilities of the urban environment and the proper use of it. Therefore the strategic assessment of the potential and limitations of tourism and providing the appropriate strategy to improve the present situation and tourism development of the city is essential. It should be done corresponding to the economic, environmental, historical, and cultural and identity of different places and should be done according to scientific discovery of potentials and reasonable demands of tourists. Because of natural resources (sea and forest) and unique beauty, passing the national highway through it, Chaboksar would be strategic, so that requires a strategic planning for development. The purpose of this study is to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the city in tourism and explore the future opportunities and constraints, removing obstacles and provide a strategic approach to tourism development in the city. The research method is descriptive and analytical; the type of this study is practical and implemented mensurably. In this regard, 365 residents and 20 experts were selected and a questionnaire was completed. The results show that despite having tourism potential and actual capacities, due to the diversity and depth of the weaknesses and threats and missing the opportunities, Chaboksar is far from a tourism favorable conditions. Therefore defensive strategy at the present time is the most appropriate strategy for the development of tourism in Chaboksar.