Study of tourism climate in Hamadan and Malayer cities based on TCI index

Abstract

​ Hamadan Province, owing to its historical significance and cultural heritage, possesses considerable tourism potential. Therefore, evaluating outdoor thermal comfort conditions is essential for tourism planning. This study compares the tourism climate conditions of Hamadan and Malayer, the two largest and most populous cities in the province, using the Tourism Climate Index (TCI). The main objectives are to identify the months with optimal tourism conditions and to determine the periods unsuitable for tourism. The study also addresses the following questions: Which months provide the highest thermal comfort for tourism in Hamadan and Malayer, and what strategies can enhance thermal comfort during periods approaching suitable conditions? This applied research adopts a descriptive–analytical approach using library, documentary, and field study methods. Climatic data from nine synoptic stations of the Hamadan Meteorological Organization were collected for a ten-year period and analyzed using Microsoft Excel. The TCI was calculated based on daily mean and maximum temperature, daily mean and minimum relative humidity, monthly precipitation, sunshine duration, and wind speed. The results indicate that the average annual temperature is 12.66°C in Hamadan and 13.49°C in Malayer, while the average annual relative humidity is 46.96% and 40.81%, respectively. Annual precipitation totals 280.82 mm in Hamadan and 311.61 mm in Malayer, whereas sunshine duration averages 8–9 hours per day in both cities. The TCI analysis shows that May provides the best tourism conditions in both cities. June, July, September, and October also exhibit favorable climatic conditions, whereas January, February, and December are unsuitable for tourism. Overall, both cities experience their most favorable tourism climate during late spring and summer, with only slight climatic differences between them.