Management and planning of tourism development in Tehran with an emphasis on educational tourism (international campuses and attracting foreign students)

Dissertation for M.A.

Department of Geography and Tourism Planning

Abstract:

Although higher education systems have had aspects of globalization since their formation, this concept has gained wider dimensions in the present era, so that many experts describe the phenomenon of globalization in higher education as the internationalization of universities. (Javadani, 2018) Some have considered globalization and internationalization to be the same concepts, while Knight (1997) believes that globalization is an ideological concept and refers to the impact of new communication technologies on economy, culture and politics, while internationalization is a selective strategy that governments use to face and properly exploit globalization processes.

One of the methods that Developing countries can use to improve the quality of universities, establishing international communication (Arasteh, 2015) and one of the most important ways of establishing international communication is strengthening the policy of accepting foreign students. For many centuries, students and even professors have traveled to other countries to develop their learning and cultural horizons, for this reason, student and professor exchange programs are considered to be one of the main axes and examples of the internationalization of higher education (Arafi,) 1384 Nikalescu et al. The Islamic Revolution and the vision document directly emphasize being a role model in the Islamic world, and one of the elements that determine success in this field is the benefit of a powerful higher education, and for this purpose, we must move towards the education of foreign students, especially from the countries of the region.

Political and diplomatic officials of the country should try to encourage the people of other countries to study in the country's universities, for example, neighboring countries such as Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Iraq share a common culture. And they have a lot of faith in our country, and they also do not have a strong foundation in the issue of higher education. We can use this opportunity and encourage their talented students to study in our country. Also, the country's cultural officials should note that English is the main scientific language of the world and mastery of this language is one of the success factors in scientific fields. However, using English does not mean abandoning the national language. To be able to export our scientific products to the whole world.

Key words: management and planning, tourism development, educational tourism, international campuses. It is First of all, traveling around the world and observing the artefacts and getting to know different societies and nations, secondly, bringing tourists to Islamic countries, so that they are familiar with the authentic culture and long-standing Islamic civilization.

In a hadith, Prophet Akram (pbuh) said to Hazrat Ali (pbuh): Or Ali, a wise person travels for three things:

To improve and complete life

To prepare for the next life

For Comfort and Convenience

Today's tourism industry is one of the most profitable, clean and low-cost industries in the world, and one out of every 15 people working in the world are active in this sector. From the side of the world's tourism industry, it has found various dimensions such as electronic tourism, ecotourism, medical tourism, sports, rural, cultural and historical tourism. In view of this situation and in view of the fact that according to the statistics of the World Tourism Organization, Iran has the fifth rank of natural attractions and the tenth rank of ancient and historical attractions, and also considering the growing young population. The high rate of unemployment, the need to increase foreign exchange income and foreign investment, more attention than before in the field of tourism can lead to full employment, increase foreign exchange income, introduce Iranian civilization and culture to the world. Extensive and constructive interaction with the countries of the world will break down ethnic and minority boundaries. 

According to the statistics provided by the International Tourism Organization (WTO), about 13% of jobs in the world are directly and indirectly related to tourism. This number has assigned the first place of the industry in terms of employment.Looking at the WTO statistics, we find that the arrival of every international tourist creates six job opportunities. This number may seem unbelievable and far from the mind, but if we know that according to the tourism minister of Malaysia, every Iranian spends an average of two million and five hundred thousand tomans, numbers and figures. As mentioned, they will no longer be far from the mind and will not be believed.

Global studies have shown that the tourism sector is expanding day by day and is flourishing even in the conditions of the world's economic crisis. Countless trips of Iranians to the countries of the Persian Gulf, the Far East and the countries bordering the Caucasus, Central Asia, Turkey, etc. All of them indicate the increasing need of the Iranian society for entertainment and spending free time in a pleasant environment. 1-2 Statement of the problem In the conditions of globalization of economy, culture and technology, attracting foreign students leads to active participation in the global process of science production and facilitating the transfer of technology and enriching the education process. Today, factors such as the emergence of higher education as a business and the key role of foreign graduates in the cultural and social development of the countries of origin and the impact of student mobility on improving human capital have caused attention to the hidden advantages of attracting foreign students. Also, the role of multicultural education in enriching education and promoting equality, respect, acceptance and mutual understanding of cultures has doubled the importance of internationalization of higher education. Despite the fact that in the last two decades the number of foreign students has increased by more than 3.2 times and the countries of the region have prepared ambitious plans to attract foreign students in a serious competition, in our country there is a kind of insincerity and a vacuum of the national macro strategy in this regard. The context is obvious.

1-3 Research Objectives

From a scientific point of view, we want to create a method that, with this strategy, Tehran can become a university city with its capabilities and attract students from all over the world.

According to the research we want to do, we want to see what are the methods of implementing educational tourism in Tehran and how and with what model and with what process Tehran can become an educational hub and with what solution Let's activate educational tourism in Tehran to use all the capacities of Tehran.

The need for research is because we have to increase the sources of income in Tehran, and as the income of a city increases, the urban development and urban services will improve, and the presence of tourists can make the economy of the city dynamic.

1-4 research questions

This study seeks answers to the following questions:

Is there any necessary infrastructure for the development of educational tourism in Tehran?

1-5 research methods

The current research is based on documentary and statistical study.

1-5-1 Research hypotheses

It seems that Tehran, due to its capabilities and capabilities regarding By creating university cities, human and natural geography can provide the basis for attracting educational tourists from neighboring countries and, in the next stage, the countries of the world.

To create university cities like Malaysia and Dubai, we need basic infrastructure for the development of tourism, which currently does not exist in the current situation, which should be provided in a long-term plan. Education in the world depends on two factors, the capabilities and infrastructure that all famous countries have prepared in this regard. For example, Malaysia has been able to become a scientific tourism hub during 35 years of unified and integrated planning and management. India has also been able to provide such facilities in some of its cities during a 40-year program. Chapter 2: Literature and History of Tourism It has different attitudes, which itself has become the reason for presenting many definitions. In the definition of tourist, different organizations and individuals have given different definitions.