Evaluation of thermal comfort conditions in Ourmieh Lake, Iran

Abstract

Research in developing countries concerning the relationship of weather and climate conditions with tourism shows a high importance not only because of financial aspects but also an important part of the region's tourism resource base. Monthly mean air temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, vapor pressure, wind velocity, and cloud cover for the period 1985-2005 data collected from four meteorological stations Tabriz, Maragheh, Orumieh, and Khoy were selected. The purpose of this study is to determine the most suitable months for human thermal comfort in Ourmieh Lake, a salt sea in the northwest of Iran. To achieve this, the cooling power and physiologically equivalent temperature (PET) calculated by the RayMan model and the Climate Tourism/Transfer Information Scheme (CTIS) were used. The results based on cooling power indicate that the most favorable period for tourism, sporting, and recreational activities in Ourmieh Lake is between June and October and based on PET between June to September. In addition, the CTIS shows a detailed quantification of the relevant climate-tourism factors.

Assessment of bioclimatic comfort conditions based on Physiologically Equivalent Temperature (PET) using the RayMan Model in Iran

“…It is a fact that climate and tourism are interconnected in diverse ways. Several indices have been developed over the last 40 years to assess the suitability of climate for tourism activities [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]. The simplest approach is to assess a thermal environment using a single climate factor such as air temperature, relative humidity, or number of sunshine hours.…”

National Assessment of Climate Resources for Tourism Seasonality in China Using the Tourism Climate Index

“…When discussing the tourism seasonality of climate resources, one must choose a suitable index to assess tourism climate. Several indices have been developed to evaluate climate environments for tourism, including the Tourism Climate Index (TCI) [22], the Beach Comfort Index (BCI) [23,24], the Climate Index for Tourism (CIT) [25], the Modified Climate Index for Tourism (MCIT) [26] and the Physiologically Equivalent Temperature Index (PET) [27][28][29][30][31]. Obviously, the BCI was designed for evaluating the climate conditions of beach holiday resorts, while the PET was used to reflect the thermal properties of tourism climate.…”

Investigating the bioclimatic circumstances of beaches to develop coastal tourism based on becker method (case study Guilan province, Iran)

“…According to the background mentioned, explaining tourism climate's circumstances of the whole country has not been considered based on a comprehensive index.The thermal bio-climate is of high interest for decision makers in the public health and recreation tourism sectors, as well as for the general public. 12 Hence, this study aims to investigate bioclimatic circumstances of beaches in Guilan province through Becker method to develop coastal tourism. It tries to systematically specify effect of climatic elements on tourism activities.…”