Abstract

Aim: the present study has aimed to design a sports tourism developmental factor model for the Sabalan mountain.  Methodology: this study is an applied research with a mix of a quantitative and qualitative method. To do the study, 15 individuals in the qualitative sector and 15 individuals in the quantitative sector were selected as the research sample. To develop the research model, the interpretive – structural model (ISM) was utilized and the Mic-Mac analysis method (MICMAC) was used to determine the type of factors and to measure the degree of penetration and dependency of the factors. Findings: given the results, 7 factors were identified as the most important sports tourism developmental factors of Sabalan mountain. Infrastructural reinforcement and desirability were recognized as the most important factors in the developmental model for sports tourism of Sabalan mountain and they must be taken into consideration.Conclusion: given the research findings, Sabalan mountain has a significant potential in the field of sports tourism development and attraction. Thus, it can be concluded that through more accurate research, better planning, more of a follow-up in the respect of development of sports tourism of Sabalan mountain, managers and those in charge in the field of sports tourism, whether region-wide or at larger levels, could perform more effectively with the purpose of the economic development of the region.