An Analysis of the position of cooperatives in organizing and tourism development of Qom Province

Using the potentials and benefits of cooperative sector, it is possible to overcome parts of challenges and difficulties the tourism industry is facing in Iran. Qom Province with its religious and cultural importance is one of the most important centers for tourism and can play a significant role in tourist attraction.However, it is far away from its real potential owing to a variety of existing problems. This study is aiming to assess the role of cooperative sector in organizing and helping tourism development in this province. The study was analytical descriptive type with both library and field survey using researcher made questionnaire for data collection.The statistical population onsisted of administrators(managers) and cooperative experts associated with the tourism industry in the province.The results shows that despite the importance of organizational improvement needed in tourism industry of Qom, reflected through responses of statistical population, the cooperative sector has not been of great help in improving the situation due to a major gap that exist between current and ideal situation. Results also indicate that cooperative sector can be of significant importance in development of tourism industry despite the existing gap. Also the relevance of education to the job had a significant effect on the members of statistical population views related to effectiveness of cooperative sector and its role in development of tourism industry of Qom providence.