Spatial Explanation of Tourism Clusters with an Emphasis on Small Businesses in Rural Areas of Tabas Region

Tourism clusters refer to a set of tourism business units which are concentrated in a geographical area and have specialized cooperation relations. Many countries are trying to overcome the existing issues and challenges in tourism businesses by using the clustering strategy. The purpose of the research is to explain the spatiality of tourism clusters in villages with tourism potential in Tabas region. The descriptive-analytical research method is used and its dominant approach is based on survey; meanwhile, literature review and field study methodologies have been used to collect data. The statistical population includes 36 villages with tourism potential in Tabas region in South Khorasan province. The modified Cochran formula was used to determine the sample size in this study. Based on this, out of 3675 rural households in Tabas city, 348 households were selected as samples. In order to cluster the villages, the opinions of 30 experts (employees of cultural heritage, prefectural and governorate, etc.) were included. Also, Aras model was used to rank the studied villages and ARc GIS software was used to calculate the records and cluster the villages. The results of the research indicate a positive and significant relationship between the arrival of tourists and the economic, social and environmental dimensions. The results of the t-test with a confidence level of 95%, the level of most of the indicators among the villagers is higher than the average level. Furthermore, by considering the results of Aras and Gutman's technique, it can be seen that the villages of Hoder, Jokhah, Azmeighan, Kirit, Dastgaran, Naiband, Esfandiar, Zenughan, Rabat Khan, Helwan, Dehnu and Arababad have a strong potential to attract tourism. By contrast, the creation of tourism clusters, and the villages of Khorualiya, Marghoub, Pikoh, Melvand, Hasan Abad, Kordabad, Nusrat Abad, Pirhajat, Chirok, Serand, Mawder have less potential to attract tourists.