Determining the Tourism Calendar Using the Climate Tourism Index (TCI) and the Climate-Holiday Index (HCI): A Case Study of Astara, Gilan Province

Favorable climatic conditions are the most important information that nature tourists need to choose their destination. Moreover, one of tourism climatologists' goals is to identify different types of climates that affect tourism. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the relationship between climatic variables, climate-related indicators, and tourism in the most important tourist destinations of Astara, including Heyran mountain pass and Bibiyanlou forest park in terms of Tourism Climate Index (TCI) and Holiday Climate Index (HCI), using indices such as temperature, relative humidity, rainfall, cloud cover, and wind speed during a 15-year period (2005-2020). The results of the monthly survey of the TCI index showed that the region had a good rank in this regard in October (TCI = 65) and July (TCI = 69), a very good rank (TCI = 79) in May, and an excellent rank (TCI = 80) in June. Moreover, the results of the HCI showed that January and July had good ratings (with their HCI values being 69 and 65, respectively). The months of June and February (HCI = 75) had very good ranks, the months of May and April had excellent ranks (with their HCI values being 89 and 85, respectively), and the month of March had an ideal rank (HCI = 93). It was also found that in the early spring and summer (corresponding to the holiday season) when the climatic conditions were more favorable, the region was more visited by tourists. However, the region would probably be less welcomed by the tourists during the working and exam seasons. The results of the present study could be helpful in improving tourism activities based on climatic conditions, managing tourism in terms of providing the tourists with the required equipment and their needs during the tourism peaks, and providing for the required infrastructure to overcome the difficulties and attract tourists at other times.