Zoning evaluation of Eco-Touristic potentials of bio-climatic comfortability in the province of Fars, using Geographical information system (GIS)

Ecological conditions are important factors in development of tourism in each geographic region. Using Mieczkowski's touristic climate index (TCI) in this research, potentials of touristic climate and ecology in the extent of Fars province are evaluated. For this purpose, climatic data from nine synoptic stations in the province are applied. Then preliminary analyses are carried out in the environment of statistic software, using seven models – related climatic elements. Next, values of TCI for cities of province are extracted, using relations of Mieczkowski's model. Eventually, values of TCI are extended to the extent of province by averaging, based on inverse distance weighted (IDW) and maps of extent separation are provided on monthly scales for the province. The results show that in winter season, southern and eastern parts of province including "Larestan", "Lamerd", "Nairiz" and "Darab possess more desirable conditions than other parts of province. In spring, in contrast to winter season, northern parts including "Abade", "Oghlid", "Ardakan", "Shiraz" safashahr and "Noor a bud" have better conditions than other parts. In summer, only in eastern parts, the cities of "oghlid" and "Estahbun" have proper conditions ecotouristically. In other parts, no desirable condition was obsereved. In fall season, cities of "Oghlid", "Ardakan" and "Shiraz", in first month of fall (Mehr), eastern parts in seond month (Aban), and "Lar" city of southern part in third month (Azar) have proper conditions for tourism. Finally, conditions of touristic climate were analyzed by cluster method, based on different logics for studied province. Three clusters were identified.