Comparative Evaluation of Tourist Climate Comfort Using the Tourist Climate Comfort Index (TCCI): A Study of Dohuk and Basra Governorates in Iraq

Abstract

Climate plays a significant role in the selection of tourist destinations as a fundamental factor influencing the tourism industry, which is a rapidly growing international sector with a substantial impact on attracting tourists. This research aims to identify the varieties of tourist climate comfort in the four theoretical seasons in the Dohuk and Basra governorates, both of which are tourism-friendly provinces in Iraq, using the Tourist Climate Comfort Index (TCCI), a widely accepted measure globally. The investigation results reveal spatial and temporal variations in tourist comfort conditions. In the winter season, characterized by December, January, and February, which are the coldest months, the categories of "unacceptable cold" and "very cold" were predominant in the Dohuk governorate and the Zako climatic station. In the Basra governorate, the category of "unacceptable cold" appeared in the Basra station. During the moderate spring season, represented by March, April, and May, with gradually increasing temperatures, the four categories ("very cold, unacceptable," "cold, unacceptable," "moderately suitable, and "suitably acceptable") were recorded at the Zako station in Dohuk governorate. However, the frequencies of the categories varied in Basra governorate, with the categories of "cold, unacceptable," "moderately suitable," "suitably acceptable," and "hot, unacceptable. The summer season, characterized by the hottest months of June, July, and August, exhibited frequencies of the categories "hot, unacceptable," and "very hot" in Dohuk governorate, while in Basra governorate, different categories were observed. The transitional months of the moderate autumn season, represented by September, October, and November, showed four categories in the Dohuk governorate ("hot, unacceptable," "moderately suitable," "suitably acceptable," and "cold, unacceptable"). In Basra governorate, the categories varied between "acceptable" and "unacceptable" for tourism activities, with frequencies of "suitably acceptable," "very hot, unacceptable," "hot, unacceptable," and "cold, unacceptable."