Identifying and Prioritizing Threats to Tourist Security in the Cities of Ilam and Dezful

Document Type : Research

Authors

Nahid Arianezhad ¹

Saeed Maleki ²

Majid Goodarzi ³

¹ PhD Student in Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

² Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

³ Associate Professor of Geography and Urban Planning, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22067/jgrd.2026.97768.1633

Abstract

Due to its dynamic nature, the tourism industry is deeply dependent on the "security" component, so that its disruption can stop the flow of travel. However, a wide range of natural, human, and physical threats have always exposed tourism destinations to vulnerability. Accordingly, this study aims to identify and prioritize the indicators underpinning the threats and crises that compromise the security of tourists in the cities of Ilam and Dezful. First, by reviewing the literature on the subject and examining the experiences of other cities, threats to the security of tourists are identified. Then, using the combined ANP and DEMETL techniques, the relative importance of each indicator is determined from the perspective of 50 experts. The results of the study suggested that the pattern of threats to tourist security in Ilam and Dezful are multidimensional, but natural and environmental hazards and physical-infrastructural threats wield the highest effect as the key drivers of tourism insecurity. In contrast, the managerial-institutional and health-hygiene dimensions, although gaining lower ranks, can significantly exacerbate or moderate the severity and consequences of other threats. The analysis of sub-indicators demonstrated that public health and hygiene factors, including environmental pollution, the spread of infectious diseases and water pollution, are the most critical factors compromising tourist security. In addition, unsafe roads, lack of equipped medical centers and social unrest were identified as the key threats. Overall, improving tourism security in Ilam and Dezful requires adopting an integrated and priority-oriented approach that is geared to mitigate natural hazards, improve urban infrastructure, and strengthen health and management resilience, which are a prerequisite for sustainable tourism development.

Keywords

Tourism

Crisis Management

Tourist Security

DANP Model

Ilam and Dezful Cities

Subjects

• Planning in urban and rural areas

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