Evaluating the Relationship between Tourism Development, Economic Sustainability and Municipal and Citizenship Incomes (Case Study: Tabriz Metropolis)

The tourism industry, playing an influential role in the economic processes of countries in the case of development and sustainability, has positive effects such as job creation, income generation, circulation, and foreign exchange attraction through domestic and foreign visitors, which can be mentioned as its power to generate income as the third industry in the world after the oil industry and automobile industry. Increasing stable and appropriate income is one of the economic effects of this industry, so the share of gross domestic income of countries from tourism reaches more than ten percent. Tourism is one of the critical economic pillars in many cities, which plays a vital role in creating and earning a stable income, employment, infrastructure protection, and increasing the quality of urban public services. Therefore, it causes the mobility of the urban economy and its correct movement in the path of sustainable development. East Azarbaijan province, centered on Tabriz, by registering more than 1800 works registered in the cultural sectors and tourist attractions in the UNESCO list, has made this province rank in the fifth rank of provinces with tourism potential in Iran. The city of Tabriz has been called one of the country's seven cultural and historical cities, according to the official documents and recorded cultural records. Tabriz has a high potential for tourism development due to its location on four transportation routes and the presence of numerous valuable cultural and historical attractions. Economic activities in this city are concentrated in the sectors of heavy and light manufacturing industries, food industries, crafts and arts, trade and services, and tourism, so Tabriz is the headquarters of four brands out of 100 prestigious brands in Iran. The presence of numerous historical, cultural, and artistic buildings with a long history has made the metropolis of Tabriz capable of developing and attracting tourists from neighboring cities and provinces, tourists from other parts of the country, and tourists from abroad in terms of tourism.

The current research is of an applied and survey nature. Moreover, the current research is descriptive-analytical. Library and field methods have been used to collect data. In this research, a questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The statistical population of this research includes two categories of managers (Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization managers and Tabriz Municipality managers) and tourism industry stakeholders (hoteliers and companies active in the field of travel services). Therefore, in this research, by default, 60 questionnaires have been considered for each group of the statistical population and a total of 120 questionnaires. In order to analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used in the SPSS 25 environment. Means, frequency tables, frequency percentages, and graphs were used in descriptive statistical methods, and Pearson's correlation coefficient, regression test, and SWOT analytical model were used in inferential statistical methods. In order to check the validity (reliability) of the measurement tool of the current research, it has been accompanied by the guidance of university professors and related managers to determine how well the questions represent the content and objectives of the research; Content and form validity methods and techniques have been used. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was also used to measure the reliability of the research questionnaire. In such a way that according to each variable, the questionnaire was given to the professors and experts of the mentioned field, and it was calculated in SPSS software; Cronbach's alpha coefficient for each economic, managerial, infrastructure, and policy variable, respectively, 0.938, 0.911, 857. and 0.887 was obtained.

The analysis of the data obtained from the descriptive statistics shows that the average of the economic variable among the sample is 3.05, the average of the managerial variable is 3.52, and the average of the infrastructure variable is 3.31. The average of the policy variable is 3.22. In the inferential statistics section, Pearson's correlation test was used to discover the relationship between economic stability and municipal and citizen incomes with tourism development. According to these tests, the Sig(significance level) is 0.000, and since this figure is smaller than the desired alpha (0.05) with a confidence interval of 0.95, the relevant variables are linearly dependent, and the relationship between these two variables is confirmed. The correlation coefficient is 0.713, which shows a high correlation. Therefore, it can be concluded that the development of tourism has a positive, significant, and direct effect on the stability of the economy and the incomes of the municipality and citizens of the metropolis of Tabriz. Regression variance analysis or ANOVA also confirms the linearity of the relationship between the two variables of tourism development and economic stability and income in the municipality and citizenship of Tabriz metropolis because Sig is less than 5%. The results of the regression analysis show that for each unit of change in the independent variable, 0.71 changes in the dependent variable; It means that by changing each unit in the development of tourism with 0.71 certainties, it can be said that it can be changed in the dependent variable or economic stability and municipal income and citizenship. Also, the results showed that the total sum of strengths and opportunities, with an average of 3.2,2, is superior to the total sum of weaknesses and threats, with a total average of 2.5. Also, according to the evaluation matrix of internal and external factors, since the final score of the evaluation of internal factors (IFE) is 22.3, which is the final profile of the review of external factors (EFE) is 2.5, the type of aggressive strategy is superior to other strategies. Since offensive strategy is a combination of strengths and opportunities, strengths and opportunities are superior to weaknesses and threats.

Today, the sustainability of the urban economy is not a need. Still, as a leading necessity in the sustainability of the urban system, it has been noticed by experts and urban managers, and in this context, the tourism industry as a solution to stimulate and facilitate growth and development, with a long-term perspective in the program. Urban planning can lead societies toward sustainable development. The present study was conducted to analyze the effects of urban tourism development on the stability of the economy and the income of the municipality and citizens in Tabriz city. The results of the surveys showed that the development of tourism has a positive, significant, and direct effect on the stability of the economy and the incomes of the municipality and the citizens of the metropolis of Tabriz. Finally, by assessing the results of the SWOT analysis, it was determined that the most suitable strategy for developing tourism in the metropolis of Tabriz is an aggressive strategy. Therefore, by considering the above and the need to pay attention to it in the planning of tourism development in Tabriz city, we can hope for an increase in the income of the municipality and citizens and the stability of the Tabriz metropolis economy. Planning for the sustainable development of tourism and identifying the strengths and weaknesses, potentials and limitations should be in line with the plans and goals of the managers and other guardians of tourism in this region. In general, the current research can be the basis of macro-scale evaluation.