Identification and Ranking of Smart Tourism Development Criteria Affecting the Sustainability of Tehran

The rapid growth of urbanization and uncontrolled migration have posed serious challenges to urban sustainability. The utilization of modern technologies and artificial intelligence within the framework of smart cities and smart tourism represents an effective strategy for improving quality of life and enhancing the competitiveness of tourism destinations. Despite the rich natural and cultural potential of Iran-particularly in the city of Tehran-deficiencies in infrastructure and smart planning have hindered the optimal exploitation of these capacities. The objective of this study is to identify and prioritize the factors influencing the development of smart tourism in Tehran to propose an optimal pathway for sustainable urban tourism development through the integration of technology and sustainability-oriented approaches. This research employed a descriptive- analytical and library-based methodology. Using a ۲۲-indicator questionnaire and expert opinions, the study identified the indicators of smart tourism development contributing to the sustainability of Tehran. The data was analyzed through statistical methods and the multi-criteria decision-making model MEREC using SPSS software to determine the significance of each influencing dimension. The findings indicate that the level of smart tourism development in Tehran is relatively favorable. The dimensions exerting the greatest impact on urban sustainability are, respectively, smart transportation and accessibility, environmental and energy sustainability, and technological infrastructure, while social participation, innovation, and the smart tourism economy play comparatively smaller roles. Therefore, to achieve sustainable smart tourism and comprehensive urban development, it is essential not only to strengthen infrastructure and technology, but also to emphasize community empowerment, enhancement of social innovation, and improvement of coordinated policymaking.

کلیدواژه ها:

MEREC Multi-Criteria Model ، Smart Tourism Sustainability ، Tourism Economy ، Social Participation ، Innovation