The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab)

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Salehpour Shamsi; RIAHI VAHID; AZIZI ASGHAR; Fathizade Farah

Title

The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab)

Author(s)

Salehpour Shamsi | RIAHI VAHID | AZIZI ASGHAR | Fathizade Farah | Issue Writer Certificate

Keywords

TourismQ2

Rural TourismQ2

Sustainable DevelopmentQ2

Takht-e SoleymanQ2

TakabQ1

Abstract

EXTENDED ABSTRACT Introduction Tourism as a powerful tool for development, growth and economic diversification, employment, etc. has drawn the attention of a wide range of policy-makers, planners and executive managers at the global, national and regional levels. At the local level, rural Tourism is also considered as an appropriate alternative for the implementation of Sustainable Development requirements, the sustainability of environment, community and rural economy, job creation, public and private investment, infrastructure improvement and economic benefits in rural areas. Rural Tourism, as a small segment of Tourism which is the largest industry in the world, play a major role in empowering the local people, diversifying the economic growth and creating new job opportunities in rural areas. Nevertheless, rural Tourism is a very complex activity which shares common interests with different sectors of society and economy and also has different effects and consequences. Therefore, all aspects rural Tourism must be considered in the planning process in order to prevent the negative consequences which leads to the increase of positive economic, social and environmental impacts. Tourism development can be considered as a fundamental strategy for social and economic prosperity in rural areas based on scientific and logic planning This paper tries to study the feasibility of rural Tourism development in Takht-e Soleyman district in Takab region also attempts to identify the strategic element (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) based on its natural and cultural assets and then to formulate the desired strategy along with Tourism development. Methodology This study is an applied research in terms of purpose and uses descriptive-analytical method. Data were collected through fieldwork and library research. The statistical population consisted of 54 villages in Takht-e Soleyman district. Out of 54 rural settlements, 10 tourist villages were selected based on targeted sampling (Qirnejah, Aqdar-e Olya, Zarshuran, Ahmadabad-e Olya, Gonbad, Brenje, Taze kand-e Naosratabad, Gharabolagh, Nabi Kandi and Hassanabad). 357 household heads were determined as sample sizes using the Morgan table. AHP and SWOT analysis have been used to analyze data in order to develop a suitable Tourism development strategy emphasizing Sustainable Development. Results and Discussions To find the four elements of strategic planning (strengths, weaknesses and opportunities and threats) first, the most important internal and external factors were identified in three economic-institutional, socio-cultural, ecologic-environmental dimensions and then analyzed by evaluation matrix. After identifying the indicators of internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and external factors (opportunities and threats), the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) constructed according to quantified SWOT and weighing indicators. The results indicated that pleasant weather, especially in spring and summer (0. 0098), and natural attractions such as waterfalls and high mountains such as Belqis (0. 0097) are the most important strengths. The priorities for weaknesses are poor environmental and physical infrastructure (0. 918) and lack of recreational facilities (health services, accommodation, catering) (0. 598). Among the external factors, Takht-e Soleyman Complex which inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list as the fourth unique archaeological site of Iran (0. 1032), its proximity to neighboring tourist areas such as Karaftu Cave, Soltanieh Dome, Zivia (0. 721), and ecoTourism potential (0. 0460) as the most important opportunities, and the rising trends in Tourism and travelling to other recreational areas such as Soltanieh Dome in Zanjan, Karaftu Cave and ancient mountain of Zivia in Saqqez (11, 070), the contamination of water resources, soil and climate due Zarshuran gold mine (0. 1119) and lack of accountability among visitors to protect the human and natural environment (0. 0720) are considered as the most important threats in the development of rural Tourism in this region. After analyzing each quadrant (SO, WT, ST, WO), it was determined the best strategy for Takht-e Soleyman, Takab is defensive strategy. Conclusion The defensive tactics which aimed at reducing internal weaknesses and avoiding external threats, is the most appropriate strategy based on localization and adaptation to the needs, cultures and values of the community, for rural Tourism development in the area under study. According to this strategy, the most important solutions for developing rural Tourism can be the formulation of new rules to protect and preserve the environment, to use the existing Tourism potential optimally, to prevent the commodification of natural resources, historical monuments, and incompatible activities and disruption of ecological balance of the region, to develop a great investment platform for private and public sector in the Tourism industry, to encourage people for participating in the development of Tourism infrastructure and facilities, to develop and promote educational programs and to inform the indigenous people about Tourism and its importance, to conduct training courses aimed at promoting the professional specialization for practitioners who involve in executive, service, marketing, and advertising activities in Tourism as a multi-sector industry, to educate and inform people about Tourism culture and how to deal with tourists in the village, as well as to introduce the traditions, custom and cultural characteristics of village inhabitants in order to prevent any spatial conflicts and potential tensions between tourists and the host community. There is no doubt, in order to achieve sustainable Tourism development and also Sustainable Development of rural spaces, it is necessary to turn the weaknesses and threats into strengths and opportunities. It is required not only the cooperation of organizations, but broad engagement of local community, as the outcome of collective strength is greater than individual forces. To this end, institutionalization should be undertaken locally in order to move to construction and optimal utilization of Tourism potentials in the region under study. Otherwise, it can be argued that if the development of rural Tourism along with a detailed and comprehensive planning in the villages of Takht-e Soleyman district does not take into account, rural Tourism development will lead to the commodification of natural resources and deformation of land cover in the area, as well as the formation of incompatible activities in the surrounding areas and the emergence of spatial confusion phenomenon.

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APA: Copy

Salehpour, Shamsi, RIAHI, VAHID, AZIZI, ASGHAR, & Fathizade, Farah. (2019). The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab). JOURNAL OF THE STUDIES OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PLANNING (JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL LANDSCAPE), 14(1 (46) ), 111-127. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/176105/en

Vancouver: Copy

Salehpour Shamsi, RIAHI VAHID, AZIZI ASGHAR, Fathizade Farah. The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab). JOURNAL OF THE STUDIES OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PLANNING (JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL LANDSCAPE)[Internet]. 2019;14(1 (46) ):111-127. Available from: https://sid.ir/paper/176105/en

IEEE: Copy

Shamsi Salehpour, VAHID RIAHI, ASGHAR AZIZI, and Farah Fathizade, “The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab),” JOURNAL OF THE STUDIES OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS PLANNING (JOURNAL OF GEOGRAPHICAL LANDSCAPE), vol. 14, no. 1 (46) , pp. 111–127, 2019, [Online]. Available: https://sid.ir/paper/176105/en

Scientific Information Database

ISSN: 2588-4824

Journal Paper

The Feasibility of Rural Tourism Development with an Emphasis on Sustainable Development Approach (Case Study: Takht-E Soleyman, Takab)