Identifying the Components of Business Development Related to the Tourism Industry with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development: A Case Study of Kish Island

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the components of tourism business development on Kish Island within the framework of the sustainable development paradigm. From a methodological perspective, this applied research adopts an exploratory mixed-methods approach. In the qualitative phase, using a grounded theory strategy, 12 in-depth interviews were conducted with academic experts, officials of the free trade zone, and private-sector entrepreneurs. Data analysis was performed using MAXQDA software through three stages of open, axial, and selective coding, which resulted in the extraction of 36 key factors. Based on these findings, a researcher-developed questionnaire grounded in a five-point Likert scale was designed and distributed among 50 managers and practitioners in the tourism industry. Content validity was confirmed by experts, and reliability was verified with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient exceeding 0.70. Quantitative analyses and evidence-based synthesis indicated that among the 36 factors, six core factors play the most significant role in the sustainability and resilience of tourism businesses on Kish Island. In order of importance, these factors include: “digital marketing, branding, and online reservation systems” (M = 4.75), “development of hotels and accommodation facilities in compliance with environmental standards” (M = 4.30), “environmental management and protection of natural resources and coral reefs” (M = 4.25), “development of sustainable recreational activities and thematic tours” (M = 4.15), “development of sustainable and low-emission transportation systems” (M = 4.10), and “financial support and facilitation of licensing for resilient businesses” (M = 4.05). The findings demonstrate substantial convergence with existing theoretical foundations in the fields of sustainable development, institutional theory, networks, and technological innovation, while simultaneously highlighting the prominent role of digital technologies and marketing capacities within the local context of Kish Island. Accordingly, the results underscore the necessity of adopting a systemic approach to policymaking that simultaneously pursues targeted investment in digital and transportation infrastructures, strengthens environmental standards in accommodation facilities, enhances institutional capacity, and provides financial incentives, in order to preserve the ecosystem while ensuring economic resilience and the equitable distribution of benefits derived from tourism businesses.