Determining the appropriate ecotourism calendar in the west of the country using the PET index

Weather is considered as one of the most important factors shaping tourism, and tourism centers owe their existence and values to many factors, especially suitable weather conditions. In this research, in order to evaluate and zoning the ecotourism calendar in Kurdistan, Kermanshah and Hamadan provinces, Riemann model and Physiological Equivalent Temperature Index (PET) have been used. The comfort conditions of the tourism climate and heat and cold stresses in different days and months of the year were evaluated using the PET index and then zoned in the GIS environment by considering the altitude. The results of the research showed that in most parts of the western region of the country, such as the cities of Sanandaj, Hamedan and Kermanshah, the time of climatic comfort for tourism activities occurs in two separate periods. From the end of May to the middle of October, heat stress is observed and from the beginning of December to the end of March, cold stress is observed in the border areas of Kermanshah.Finally, tourism climate maps of the western region of the country were prepared based on altitude changes and taking into account the relationship between the physiological temperature index and altitude, and by analyzing these maps, suitable times for activities such as mountain climbing in the important heights of the region such as Alvand, Chihel Cheshme, Peru and Shahu were identified.