Geography

Geography

Determination of tourism calendar of desert zone of Kashan based on Bioclimatic Indices

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
N. Nikandish 1
A. Shaemi 1
M. Ghasemi 2
1 Faculty Member, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
2 Master of Science in Meteorology, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jiga.2025.2049515.1368
Abstract
Extended Abstract
Introduction
. According to the 2017 World Economic Forum report, the travel and tourism industry accounted for 2.5% of Iran's total GDP with 476,000 jobs and 1.9% of total employment in the country (2017 Tehran Chamber of Commerce). Tourism industry is one of the essential strategies for achieving sustainable development. It is very important consideration of climate, meteorological information and climate in systematic managing the tourism. Biomedical indicators are widely used in tourism meteorological studies to survey climate comfort for tourists. The purpose of this study is to evaluate tourism potential from point of view of the climate and determine the best season for tourism of Kashan.
 
Methodology
This research is based on descriptive-analytical method. The materials were obtained from library sources, meteorological records and documents. The meteorological data are extracted from the website of the Meteorological Organization of Isfahan, Central and Qom Provinces. In this study,  it were evaluated air temperature in Celsius, cloudy sky in octa, dominant wind speed in m / s, vapor pressure in hPa and relative humidity in percentage of stations (Qom, Meyme, Delijan, Natanz and Kashan) over a 23 year period (1996-2019) and human physiological parameters (age, sex, weight, height, type of cover and activity), along with situational variables (longitude, latitude, and altitude of the study area), in the Ray man model. Ray man model is one of the thermo-physiological equilibrium models that consisting of three sub-indices: Predicted Mean Votes (PMV), Physiological Average Temperature (PET) and Standard Effective Temperature (SET). The model is based on the energy balance equation of the human body. Kashan city is located in terms of climatic zoning, in climatic zone with relatively cold winters and very hot and dry summers. The results of the evaluation of comfort index indicate that the physiological equivalent temperature index is more indicative of the climatic condition of the city. So that is provided in the lowland areas of the central part in the cold months of the year and in the highlands and their valleys in the warm months of the year ideal conditions for tourism.
 
Results and Discussion
In general, the zone of Kashan has a dry climate due to its strong influence from the central desert of Iran.According to the ambrothermic curve, the dry season began in May, reaching its peak in June and September. 

According to physiological equivalent temperature index, Kashan is not suitable for tourism in winter. Other areas of the region are favorable for tourism except for the central part of the city, in spring. In summer, the upper parts of the region (Qamsar and Niasser) and in the autumn, the central part of the region is in a better position for tourism.
According to standard effective temperature index, Kashan tourism climate is not suitable in winter. The worst climate conditions are in the region, in summer. The central and eastern part of the city has favorable climate conditions for tourism, in spring. Conditions without physiological stress in the central part of the region provide suitable conditions for tourism in the autumn. 
According to the Predicated Mean Vote index (PMV), the low-lying parts of Kashan are suitable for tourism in winter. There is the best climate for tourism in spring. The summer season lacks suitable tourism climate. In autumn, slightly warm and non-stressful thermal conditions in the north and east of the city have provided favorable conditions for tourism.
 
 
Conclusion
The growing trend of domestic and foreign tourists in the city of Kashan necessitates the establishment of a bio-climate tourism calendar for the best time for tourists.
According to the Physiological Temperature Index (PET), the climate is relatively favorable and tourism in open air is not restricted in spring. The eastern and central parts and between the highlands of the city have the best conditions for the presence of tourism in the fall. According to the Standard Temperature Index (SET), the thermal conditions in the eastern and northern parts of the region are best suited for tourism in spring. Kashan has the best conditions for tourism, According to the Predicated Mean Vote index (PMV), in spring. Physiologically equivalent temperature index is more consistent with the climatic conditions of Kashan city based on the results of three indices at annual, seasonal and monthly scales.

Subjects

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Geography
Volume 23, Issue 86
Autumn2024, pp.1-200.
Autumn 2025
Pages 91-106