The Role of Asian Rourism Event in Hamedan 2018 on the Development of Rural Tourism and Identifying its Disadvantages in Hamedan Province

This research was conducted with the aim of investigating the Asian event of Hamedan 2018 and its effect on rural tourism in Hamedan province. The available documents and articles related to the Asian event in Hamedan 2018 were examined using the library method. After collecting qualitative data about the 2018 Hamedan Asian event, these data were qualitatively analyzed in the form of content analysis and its components were extracted. These data were collected and categorized with the help of organizations related to Hamedan Asian Event 2018 (provincial cultural heritage, Hamedan Asian Event 2018 secretariat, governorate, and villages). The research method was content analysis. The tool used in this research was interview and the sampling method was based on sampling up to the theoretical saturation point. The studied villages included Verkaneh, Moradbek Valley, and Abshineh. The findings of this research showed that by analyzing the content of the participants' answers, 6 main categories including regional reconstruction, customs, cultural programs, government role-playing, selling products, and religion and religious rituals were identified in the answers of the participants in the research. Also, in terms of the effects of Hamedan 2018 tourism event, the cultural and economic effects were more prominent than others. The pathology conducted in the said event showed that the environmental pollution and the effects of tourists on the beliefs and views of the hosts are among the significant things. According to the findings of this research, it seems that local and regional events and festivals are an opportunity for cultural and economic development in the target areas. Of course, it is very important to pay attention to the damage and threats of these events. 1. Introduction The development of tourism is largely dependent on tourism events, and this issue alone can have a unique attraction for tourists; Therefore, maintaining it and improving its quality is very important in the development of tourism. Tourism events always have the ability to create changes in all economic, social and environmental dimensions and become the source of rural development. However, the most important feature of tourism is the interaction with all the components of the village, especially the rural environment, which has the ability to transform the society. 2. Methodology The research method was content analysis. In this research, the available documents and articles related to the Asian event of Hamedan 2018 were examined with the library method. After collecting qualitative data about the 2018 Hamedan Asian event, these data were qualitatively analyzed in the form of content analysis (in the form of axial, open, and closed coding) and its components were extracted. Also, in order to investigate the impact of this event on the target villages, the data related to tourism before and after the mentioned event in the target villages were compared with the field method. These data were collected and categorized with the help of relevant organizations and expert people related to Hamedan Asian Event 2018 (provincial cultural heritage, Hamedan Asian Event 2018 secretariat, governorate, and tourism experts, including academics, tourism tours, and agencies). The tool used in this research was interview. Snowball sampling method and sample size was based on situational sampling. The studied villages included Verkaneh, Moradbek Valley and Abshineh. 3. Results The findings of this research showed that the 2018 Hamedan tourism event is relatively well known among the officials and residents of the surveyed villages. From the contexts, goals, consequences and effects to the role of the people and the participation of the government in the mentioned event, all are important issues that were discussed in this research. From an economic point of view, it seems that the effects of holding the Hamadan 2018 event in the studied villages were favorable. Increasing the income of the villagers and reducing the seasonal unemployment of the villagers, selling products and handicrafts, holding numerous exhibitions and stores, accommodating tourists, and providing transportation services and other relevant services have caused a change in the economic conditions of the region. By holding various programs in the social and cultural sector, it was observed that the residents of the surveyed villages have gained more knowledge of the language and culture of other cities and even other countries; have introduced their culture to tourists; The holding of local, national, and religious rituals and ceremonies is another point that has been very prominent in this section. The findings of this research showed that the cultural effects of the 2018 Hamedan tourism event were the most effective. Creating environmental pollution is one of the negative consequences of holding events such as the 2018 Hamedan tourism event. In addition to the negative consequences that come to the environment, there may be some cultural effects that are disproportionate to the culture of the host regions, which requires reflection and planning. The unpreparedness of the tourism target areas, the lack of facilities, the ignorance of the local people, and the lack of coordination between the government and the people in line with the pre-planned programs are among the things that challenge programs such as the 2018 Hamedan tourism event. According to the findings of this research, the biggest negative effect caused by the 2018 Hamadan tourism event was environmental pollution, which requires the serious attention of the authorities and the cooperation of the local people to minimize this problem. 4. Conclusion The findings of this research showed that by analyzing the content of the participants' answers, 6 main categories including regional reconstruction, customs, cultural programs, government role-playing, selling products, and religion and religious rituals were identified in the answers of the participants in the research. Also, in terms of the effects of Hamedan 2018 tourism event, the cultural and economic effects were more prominent than others. The pathology conducted in the said event showed that the environmental pollution and the effects of tourists on the beliefs and views of the hosts are among the significant things. According to the findings of this research, it seems that local and regional events and festivals are an opportunity for cultural and economic development in the target areas. Of course, it is very important to pay attention to the damage and threats of these events. The role of the government and people's participation, along with bilateral cooperation, can also solve many related issues.