Tahmaseb Shirvani - Assistant professor, Faculty of tourism, University of Tehran, Tehran

The purpose of the present research was to compile the economic consequences of the development of sports tourism in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. The research method was exploratory and has a qualitative nature, which uses grounded theory approach. The statistical population of the research included the members of the faculty of sport management, managers and experts, assistants and experts of the general directorate of sports and youth and the cultural heritage, handicrafts and tourism of the Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. For sampling were used from purposeful method and snowball technique. To collect data, interviews were used in the form of open questions. The data obtained from ۱۹ interviews were analyzed (theoretical saturation was achieved from the ۱۶th person onwards). The data were analyzed during three stages of open, central and selective coding. To confirm the reliability, the retesting and recoding method was used by other researchers and ۳ interviews were coded as samples, that finally the reliability reached ۸۷ persentage. The results showed that in the process of open coding were created ۲۸ non-repetitive primary codes. The codes were placed in ۳ personality codes. These codes were: Economic development including investment and income generation, entrepreneurship and job creation and economic growth. According to the results of the present research and the presentation of positive messages for the development of sports tourism in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, it is necessary for the managers and officials of the province to take the necessary action regarding the use of strategies in order to benefit from its benefits and positive consequences.

Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, Economic Growth, Entrepreneurship, Income Generation, Sports Tourism