Geography and Regional Planning

Geography and Regional Planning

A Study of Economic Opportunities Arising from Tourism and Their Impact on the Economic Behavior of Shopkeepers (Case Study: Fuman County)

Authors
Seyyed Hassan Hosseini Ghaleh-Sari 1
Ali Baseri 2
Tahmoures Shiri 1
Mohammad Hadi Mansour Lakurj 1
1 Department of Social Sciences, Tehran Central Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Department of Social Sciences, CT.C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jgeoq.2026.606544.4575
Abstract
Tourism, by generating demand for goods and services, can create economic opportunities for local businesses and influence the economic behavior of local merchants. This study aims to examine the economic opportunities arising from tourism and their impact on the economic behavior of merchants in Fuman County. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings show that tourism has contributed to the growth of local businesses, changes in employment and livelihood patterns, job creation, expansion of service activities, and increased marketing of local products. At the same time, several economic challenges were identified, including seasonal fluctuations in income, rising land prices, inadequate institutional support, and infrastructure deficiencies. The results indicate that tourism has a significant role in creating economic opportunities for local merchants and strengthening their economic activities. However, the development of tourism may also produce social, cultural, and environmental consequences that require careful management. Therefore, sustainable use of tourism potential in Fuman requires strengthening support for local businesses, improving infrastructure, diversifying economic activities, and adopting effective and integrated tourism planning.
Keywords
Economic opportunities
economic behavior of merchants
local businesses
tourism economy
Fuman County
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