Explanation and Identification of Attracting and Preventive Factors in Inactive Sport Tourists Traveling to Iran Western Provinces (Ilam, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Hamedan)

The aim of this study was to explain and identify attracting and preventive factors of inactive sport tourists who traveled to Iran western provinces (Ilam, Kermanshah, Lorestan, Hamedan). The present study was of causal-comparitive type and of practical considering its aim. The statistical population included all inactive sport tourists who traveled to Ilam, Kermanshah, Lorestan and Hamedan to watch and applaud their favorite sport teams in official and unofficial matches during the last 2 months of 1390. Finally, the viewpoints of 231 inactive tourists were collected randomly. A researcher-questionnaire containing 37 questions was used to collect the data. The reliability of questionnaire for attracting factors was α=0.77 and for preventive factors was α=0.81. Friedman and U Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze data. Findings showed that interest in a particular sport, friends' gatherings and interest in recreation and sightseeing in the cities were the most important attracting factors and a lack of standard recreation and sport facilities, undisciplined spectators in the stadiums and low quality of competitions and sport teams were the most important preventing factors for sport tourists. From tourists' viewpoints, attracting factors were more important than preventive factors. It is impossible to increase the number of the inactive sport tourists who travel to these provinces without a change in the attitude of the officials and those who are involved in sports and tourism sector and a suitable ground for the tourists. As a result, it is necessary to identify all attracting and preventive factors in this area and to optimize them.