Background and Objective: Economic development of horse tourism in Khuzestan, relying on the purebred Arabian breed, is a strategic solution to move beyond the oil economy, create rural employment, and improve provincial infrastructure. This approach, by creating a value chain and attracting foreign exchange earnings, turns Khuzestan into an international hub for sports and commercial tourism. In this regard, the present study was conducted with the aim of identifying income-generating (economic) factors affecting the development of horse tourism in Khuzestan province.
Methodology: The present study is organized in two phases: qualitative (identification of indicators through interviews) and quantitative (weighting using the SIWEC method). The aim of this approach was to extract and accurately rank the factors affecting the research topic, relying on the knowledge of experts in the field of tourism and equestrianism in Khuzestan province. The process of selecting participants in different sections was also carried out based on purposeful and judgmental sampling to ensure the richness of specialized data.
Results and Findings: The research findings show that the development of horse tourism in Khuzestan requires a logical hierarchy in which investment and finance, with priority given to banking facilities, act as the cornerstone and most vital economic driver. Secondly, specialized infrastructure and border trade, with an emphasis on modern transportation and global registration of native breeds, provide the necessary physical and diplomatic platforms for a revenue leap. Finally, job creation and event prosperity are secondary outcomes that will only be achieved if the macro strategy changes from traditional approaches to establishing investment security and export-oriented development.