Identification of sports tourism capabilities of Golestan province

Resource analysis represents an important first step in the development and management of sport tourism destinations.The purpose of this research was study of capabilities and major sport tourism resources for development of sport tourism in the Golestan province. The statistical sample of this research were 217 (53 tourism managers and administrators, 74 tourists, 90 sport managers and administrators). Data collection tools was used The researcher-made questionnaire. the validity of the questionnaire was approved by experienced and expert professors and its reliability was verified by using cronbach’s alpha coefficient(a= 0.83). For data analysis were used descriptive statistics and inferential (chi-square test). The results showed that there are a significant relationship between capabilities in Golestan province and development of sport tourism(P<0.01,X²=203/5)and also was a significant relationship between attractions in Golestan province and development of sport tourism (P<0.01,X²=186/1). Data of this study showed that capabilities of Caspian Sea and Ashorade Island coastal for development to coastal, sea and summer sports with. 0.79, and capabilities of plains, lush, green fields and three international and national equestrian field for development of horse racing, riding, hiking, polo, golf, archery, cyling sports with 0.77 and capabilities of international lagoons, ponds and rivers, forests and Alborz Mountains for development of a varity of hunting and fishing sports with 0.71 were highest important capabilities for the development of sports tourism in Golestan province. Also data showed that traditional horse racing sport was major sport attractions to development of sport tourism in Golestan province.