Designing a model for marine sports development in attracting tourists to Mazandaran province

The purpose of this research is to design marine sports development model in attracting tourists. The research method is qualitative and the grounded theory was used. The statistical population of this study consists of professors of sports management, managers of the general administration of sport and youth, tourism executives and experts of the general directorate of cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism of Mazandaran province. The sampling method was purposive sampling and snowball and 15 people were selected as the sample. Data collection was also done through semi - structured interview method. Based on the results of the research, 96 basic concepts were determined. By categorizing these concepts, 65 sub-categories were formed. causality was identified in section 4, which includes the component of financial incentives, the mechanism of attracting tourists, managers training and providing appropriate services. In the context section 3 key concepts and 12 categories were identified; also, in the intervention section 3 core concepts and 11 categories were identified; in the strategies section 4 key concepts were identified: Non-governmental investment, attracting sports tourists, creating economic capacities and indicators and marketing and finally in the Outcome section, three key themes were identified: Generalize marine sport, cultural interactions and attracting tourists. Based on the results of the research, using appropriate strategies presented in the strategies and actions section, it is possible to overcome the confounding conditions and optimally use contextual conditions to achieve the aforementioned outcomes by experts.