Women's Sports Tourism: An Effective Step towards Women's Individual and Social Empowerment

Zare, Rahim; Mahmoudi, Ahmad

doi:10.22089/rws.2026.19181.1115

Women's Sports Tourism: An Effective Step towards Women's Individual and Social Empowerment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Rahim Zare ¹

Ahmad Mahmoudi ²

¹ Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management and Accounting, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran, Iran.

² Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22089/rws.2026.19181.1115

Abstract

Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
In the tourism industry, women's sports tourism has gained increasing attention in recent years, with various related aspects being researched. However, it is essential to examine the role of this segment of sports tourists in fundamental concepts such as individual and social development. Our country is among those actively supporting women's sports and related discussions. In recent years, given the outstanding achievements of Iranian women in most sports disciplines, their participation in sports tourism has grown significantly, pursued with great enthusiasm and commitment.
Recognizing that the tourism industry plays a pivotal role in sustainable development, it is necessary to focus on various forms of tourism, particularly women's sports tourism, given its importance in sustainable progress. Additionally, by identifying the key factors of women's sports tourism in individual and social empowerment, we can outline its benefits for this vital segment of society.
Methods
This applied qualitative research employs the Grounded Theory method to identify relevant factors and components. Grounded Theory, developed by Glaser and Strauss (2017), is a qualitative research approach.
The primary data collection tool was semi-structured interviews conducted with 17 experts in tourism management, public policy, public administration, development management, women and family studies, social welfare sciences, family management, anthropology, sociology, counseling, and psychology. These experts, selected through purposive sampling, possess both academic and practical experience in the field. Theoretical saturation was achieved with 17 participants, and their responses were manually coded into open, axial, and selective categories using an inductive (bottom-up) approach, ensuring thematic and content alignment.
Results
The study utilized Grounded Theory with Strauss and Corbin's systematic approach for coding. Initially, interviews were recorded and transcribed, then analyzed through an iterative process to extract raw codes (231 initial codes). Open coding identified 102 primary concepts, followed by axial coding, which yielded 21 core categories. Finally, selective coding distilled these into 4 overarching themes.
Conclusion
The findings reveal that women's sports tourism provides a unique platform for empowerment by creating safe spaces for experiential learning and growth. Beyond recreation, it serves as a powerful tool for women's empowerment. Individually, it enhances health, self-confidence, and financial independence. Socially, it challenges gender stereotypes, strengthens women's networks, and promotes sustainable development.
To fully harness this potential, governments, NGOs, and the private sector must invest in infrastructure, education, and tailored programs. Women's sports tourism emerges as a novel paradigm in social development, integrating physical, psychological, and social dimensions to create profound transformations in women's lives. This multidimensional phenomenon:
ü Improves physical/mental health by reducing sedentary-related diseases and enhancing fitness
ü Builds self-efficacy through overcoming challenges in social activities
ü Develops leadership skills via team-based decision-making and mentoring roles
ü Generates direct/indirect employment opportunities, fostering economic independence
ü Ultimately, it elevates social capital while reinforcing women's individual and collective well-being, enabling them to assume more prominent familial and societal roles.
Article Message
Women's sports tourism is a dynamic sector significantly contributing to female empowerment. This applied, qualitative study, grounded in Corbin and Strauss's methodology, identifies the core factors linking sports tourism to women's individual and social empowerment. Data from semi-structured interviews with 17 multidisciplinary experts were analyzed, yielding 231 initial codes. These were refined into 102 open codes, 21 axial codes, and 4 selective codes, constituting the study's primary dimensions. The findings demonstrate that sports tourism furnishes women with diverse opportunities to acquire new skills and social roles, thereby facilitating their ascension to more prominent positions within both the family and societal structures.
Ethical Considerations
This research was conducted in full compliance with all applicable ethical guidelines. Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to their involvement, and the confidentiality of all collected data was rigorously maintained throughout the study.

Authors' Contributions
Conceptualization: Ahmad Mahmoudi
Data Collection: Rahim Zare
Data Analysis: Ahmad Mahmoudi
Manuscript Writing: Rahim Zare & Ahmad Mahmoudi
Review and Editing: Rahim Zare
Responsible for funding: Ahmad Mahmoudi
Literature Review: Ahmad Mahmoudi
Project Manager: Ahmad Mahmoudi
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest that could have influenced the outcomes or interpretations presented in this article.
Acknowledgments
We would like to thank all those who helped us compile and complete this work for their efforts and participation.

Keywords

Tourism

Sports Tourism

Women

Empowerment

Grounded Theory

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