Formulating optimal strategies for engaging in health tourism sector in Isfahan province

Abstract

This study aims to formulate optimal human resource strategies for engaging in health tourism in Isfahan. The expert population of study consists of the professors of Isfahan University and Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, managers of cultural heritage organisation, and administers of Isfahan hoteliers and tourism agencies. Strategic plans were formulated using SWOT matrix and space matrix. The indices of medical tourism locating were first extracted for four parts of SWOT matrix, i.e., strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities using Delphi technique. Then, SWOT matrix was developed based on which industry attractiveness, financial power, environment stability and competitive advantage were configured in space matrix. Then, the competitive situation was determined using fuzzy Delphi technique. Finally, human resource (HR) strategies were prioritised aligned with competitive strategies using QSPM. © 2020 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.