Creation and Development of Polo Tourism based on Event Tourism (Case Study: Tang Chogan, Kazerun)

Holding chovgan (polo) events can help increase polo tourism. This kind of tourism awakens reminiscence of historical memories in the people of Iran in terms of tourism, resulting in dynamism and development of polo. The purpose of this study was to explore the creation and development of polo tourism based on event tourism in Tang Chogan, Kazerun, Iran. This was an applied developmental study, conducted through fieldwork. The present study used a mixed (qualitative and quantitative) research method. The study population included subjects who were active and working in the area of polo, tourism, urban management, culture, sports, business, and local business. The study sample included 202 subjects. The questionnaire reliability was α: 81 according to Cronbach's alpha, and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was carried out to confirm the results. The largest weights for each factor related to increase in sales of goods (0.84) in the economic factor, increase in the spirit of interaction and tolerance and consequently respect for citizenship rights (0.81) in the social factor, and strengthening of symbols and myths (0.82) in the cultural factor. The tourism approach to cultural and historical effects of polo in different periods in Iran can lead to the dynamism and development of this sport. Holding chovgan events can help increase polo tourism.