Identifying Factors Affecting the Development of Elderly Sports Tourism in Iran

The purpose of this research was to identify the factors affecting the development of sports tourism for the elderly in Iran. In terms of the developmental and fundamental purpose, the current research was a survey-type descriptive research that was carried out in the field. The statistical population consisted of professors, experts in the field of sports tourism, in the qualitative section, 16 people were selected by purposeful sampling, and in the quantitative section, 281 people were selected as samples by simple random sampling. In order to collect data, Delphi research method and questionnaire were used. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was obtained using Cronbach's alpha above 0.7. In the data analysis, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as sample t-test in SPSS version 26 software and hierarchical analysis in Expert Choice version 11 were used. Based on the research results; The components of internal, individual, software, environment, attention to facilities, marketing and management factors were recognized as effective factors on the development of sports tourism for the elderly in Iran. Also, among the components of tourism development, legal-financial, environmental and managerial components were recognized as the most important components in the development of sports tourism for the elderly. The results of the current research emphasize the need to strengthen indicators such as improving the quality of existing infrastructure, private sector investment, establishing a special senior tourism headquarters, advertising, creative plans and services, budget, transportation facilities, scientific needs assessment and using the experiences of successful countries.