Find in Library

This paper has studied and reviewed the spatial-location distribution of urban tourism accommodation-reception centers with an emphasis on historical cities and how to select its optimum based upon Ashworth, Tunbridgeand Getz models. The findings of this descriptive-analytic research were obtained and analyzed by documentary studies and field research as well. The data were analyzed by using SPSS and T-test, and show that despite of the existence of great historical and cultural attractions of Semnan and its location on the famous path of Abrisham road and also new Tehran-Mashhad railway, it is not possible to have an optimum use of the existing functions and potentials due to inappropriate spatial-location distribution of tourism resources and facilities in the city. The analysis also shows that, based on Ashworth and Tunbridge models, urban and commercial attractions cover the central  and historical part of the city .while the locating of accommodation and reception centers have been established on the main streets of entry and exit of passengers.  while accommodations-catering centers are established in the main street axes of entry and exit of passengers, and thus does not provide convenient access to attractions for tourists. In this paper, we have investigated the optimal location of accommodations-reception centers in the city by using GIS, and necessary strategies and suggestions for improving Semnan tourism and attraction of more tourists to the city have been provided.