Analysis of Tourism Network in Ardebil Tourism Centers

Tourism planning requires understanding the interaction between supply and demand and the impact of each in relation to the other; Therefore, planning the destination of tourism is one of the important factors of development planning. In the meantime, network analysis is one of the most up-to-date and efficient analytics that enhances their power over superior centers by linking small centers. Given the weakness of the attraction and the diffusion of many tourism destinations, their arrangement in the form of a network helps to synchronize the potential of these destinations; Therefore, network analysis and its applications in regional tourism development are essential. This study aimed to increase the competitiveness of these attractions within the framework of network theory by using a descriptive-analytical method, and the research data were collected by field survey method. The statistical population of the study consisted of 79 villages around 5 tourism centers of Ardebil district. Data are analyzed using NODEXL software, and density, degree, contrast, self-centered computational networks and gravity relations graph. According to the study of tourism network and presenting the spatial pattern in Ardebil area, the research findings show that most single cell villages were studied in south east and southwest part of the region. The central and western part of the region, large multicellular villages, are located in the central, western and northeastern parts of the region. The region's multi-celled villages are located around the tourist centers of the region (Ardebil and Sareen). Therefore, regional development and tourism management should strive to strengthen the link between the region's attractions, and establish a complete network and linkage for optimal use of the region's attractions.