Tourism in Gilan Province with a Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Approach using Topsis

Tea, as a globally consumed aromatic beverage, ranks second only to water in terms of consumption, reflecting its significant cultural, social, and economic roles. In Iran, tea occupies a central position in daily life, symbolizing hospitality and social cohesion. The Gilan Province represents the primary region for tea cultivation in the country, benefiting from optimal climatic conditions, fertile soils, and abundant rainfall, which collectively ensure the production of high-quality tea. Considering the cultural importance of tea, its widespread popularity, and the touristic attractiveness of Gilan, tea tourism emerges as a promising avenue to integrate agricultural heritage with recreational and cultural experiences. This study aims to evaluate and optimize potential tea tourism destinations within Gilan Province by analyzing the major tea-cultivating cities. The research employs the multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) approach, specifically the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), to systematically rank cities based on relevant indicators. The analysis identifies cultivation area, number of hotels, presence of tea factories, and average annual tourist influx as the most critical factors influencing the suitability of locations for tea tourism. Results indicate that Rasht offers the most favorable conditions, combining infrastructural readiness, cultural richness, and extensive tea production, thereby positioning it as the optimal hub for promoting and developing tea tourism in the region.

کلیدواژه ها:

Tea Tourism ، Multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) ، TOPSIS ، Iran ، Gilan