Presenting an Optimal Spatial Development Pattern of Tourism Areas in Tehran Province Using TOPSIS

Aims Nowadays, referred to as clean industry, tourism is one of the important issues that cannot be ignored due to its huge impact on economy of societies. In order to develop tourism areas, such areas should first be identified. The aim of this study was to present an optimal spatial development pattern of tourism areas in Tehran province, using TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution) method. Instruments & Methods The present study is applied developmental in terms of aim and descriptive-analytical in terms of research method. The research population consisted of 30 scholars, experts, tourism planners, and experts of Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts, and Tourism Organization. The data were collected from library and organizational studies and field surveys, such as questionnaires, interviews, and observations. In 2016, the TOPSIS method was utilized and 10 indices in Tehran province were used in order to group the areas. ArcGIS10.2 was used for clustering. Findings For the spatial development of tourism industry, Tehran province was divided into 3 clusters, in which the eastern and northern parts of the province were assigned to cluster 1, the western, central, and southeastern parts of the province were assigned to cluster 2, and southwestern parts of the province were assigned to cluster 3. Conclusion In ordre to present an optimal spatial development pattern of tourism areas in Tehran province using the TOPSIS method, 3 clusters of Tehran province are divided into cluster 1 (Eastern and northern parts), cluster 2 (western, central, and southeastern parts), and cluster 3 (southwestern parts).