Strengthening Urban Infrastructure with the Impact of Building a Water Park in Hamedan City to Increase and Attract Tourists

In recent years, tourism has been recognized as one of the main factors of economic development and plays an important role in increasing GDP, creating employment, and cultural exchange. In urban environments, tourism infrastructure acts as a vital tool for shaping the tourist experience and influencing the growth trajectory of the tourism sector. However, many cities face significant challenges in developing and maintaining such infrastructure, including rapid urbanization, limited financial resources, and conflicting development priorities. This study examines the specific role of Hamedan Water Park in stimulating tourism growth and promoting urban tourism in Hamedan, Iran. Using a quantitative research method and collecting data through structured questionnaires, the impact of the water park on tourist satisfaction, destination image, economic growth, and tourist mobility was assessed. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that the development of Hamedan Water Park significantly (β=0.2443, p<0.001) increases tourist satisfaction, destination image (β=0.2192, p<0.001), economic growth (β=0.2350, p<0.001), and tourist mobility (β=0.2918, p<0.001), explaining 96.08% of the variation in tourist satisfaction (R²=0.9608). Also, the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) model was well validated with excellent fit indices (CFI=1.000, TLI=1.001, RMSEA=0.000, SRMR=0.001). These findings highlight the importance of investing in specialized recreational infrastructure to stimulate tourism growth and enhance urban competitiveness. In addition, the study emphasizes the sustainable development of infrastructure and maintaining a balance between economic growth and environmental protection. The results of this research can help policymakers and urban planners in making strategic decisions to improve tourism infrastructure and enhance the tourist experience.