journal of sustainable rural development

journal of sustainable rural development

Analysis of Tourism Indicators in the Sustainable Rural Development of Semi-Arid Regions in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Omid Khademhosseini 1
Bijan Rahmani 2
Shahriar Khaledi 3
ali osanlu 4
1 PhD student of Geography and Rural Planning, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Faculty Earth Sciences, Human Geography and spatial planning Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
3 Professor, Faculty Earth Sciences, Physical geography Department, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
4 Associate Professor, Department of Geography, Faculty of Command and Staff, Amin Police Comprehensive University , Tehran, Iran
10.22034/jsrd.2024.465159.1191
Abstract
Purpose: Sustainable rural development in arid regions depends on various approaches, with tourism being one of the most important. Tourism can also have multiple effects as an economic activity that helps diversify the rural economy. This research investigates tourism development indicators and their role in the sustainable rural development of semi-arid regions in Abadeh City, Iran.
Methods: The research method is descriptive-analytical and relies on data collection through surveys. The statistical population consists of rural residents. Based on the research’s limitations and the Cochran formula, the sample size was determined to be 372 individuals. Experts confirmed the validity of the questionnaire, and its reliability was verified by administering 30 questionnaires and calculating a Cronbach's alpha coefficient greater than 0.70.
Results: The results showed that the economic and environmental indicators of sustainable rural development were significantly less than 0.05. Economic indicators, with an average of 3.088, are considered average, while environmental indicators, with an average of 2.967, are evaluated as weak. Additionally, social indicators, with a significant level of 0.152 and an average of 121.3, have been rated as average. The results also indicated that the tourism indicators are substantial at a level of less than 0.05, with an average of 3.199, placing them in an average range. The best situation in tourism indicators relates to the hospitality indicator of villagers, with an average of 3.879. The impact of tourism indicators on sustainable rural development is 90%, and investment in the rural tourism sector has the most significant effect, with an explanatory value of 0.81.
Conclusion: The conclusion showed that the status of sustainable development indicators in rural areas could be improved. However, tourism as an approach in semi-arid rural areas, while not currently favorable, can positively impact their stability and development.
Keywords
Tourism
Sustainable Development
Rural Areas
Semi-Arid Regions
An, W., & Alarcón, S. (2020). How can rural tourism be sustainable? A systematic review. Sustainability, 12(18), 1-23.‏ https://doi.org/10.3390/su12187758
Băndoi, A., Jianu, E., Enescu, M., Axinte, G., Tudor, S., & Firoiu, D. (2020). The relationship between the development of tourism, quality of life, and sustainable performance in EU countries. Sustainability, 12(4), 1-19.‏ https://doi.org/10.3390/su12041628
Bhutoria, A. (2020). Understanding ‘Rural’ and Village Society. Perception, Design, and Ecology of the Built Environment: A Focus on the Global South, 519-534.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25879-5
De Rosa, M., McElwee, G., & Smith, R. (2019). Farm diversification strategies in response to rural policy: A case from rural Italy. Land Use Policy, 81, 291–301. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.11.006
Fayez, V., Najafi, S. M. B., karimi, M., & Fathollahi, J. (2022). Identification And Ranking of The Factors Affecting Sustainable Rural Development in Afghanistan [Persian]. Journal of economics and regional development, 29(23), 212-240. doi: 10.22067/erd.2022.73162.1080
Ghanbari, S., Ghasemi, M., & Pourjopari, M. (2014). Study of the Effects of Tourism on Rural Development from Rural Households Viewpoint [Persian]. Geographical Planning of Space, 3(9), 19-46. https://gps.gu.ac.ir/article_6267.html?lang=fa
Golmohammadi, M. (2014). The Effects of Tourism on the Economic and Sustainable Development of Villages [Persian]. Second national conference on tourism, geography, and sustainable environment. Hamadan. https://civilica.com/doc/329321
Hall, C. M. (2021). Constructing sustainable tourism development: The 2030 agenda and the managerial ecology of sustainable tourism. In Activating critical thinking to advance the sustainable development goals in tourism systems (pp. 198-214). Routledge.‏ https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781003140542-12
Haywood, L. K., Nortje, K., Dafuleya, G., Nethengwe, T., & Sumbana, F. (2020). An assessment for enhancing sustainability in rural tourism products in South Africa. Development Southern Africa, 37(6), 1033-1050.‏ https://doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2020.1806784
Ibănescu, B. C., Stoleriu, O. M., Munteanu, A., & Iațu, C. (2018). The impact of tourism on sustainable development of rural areas: Evidence from Romania. Sustainability, 10(10),1-18. doi.org/10.3390/su10103529
Ivona, A. (2021). Sustainability of rural tourism and promotion of local development. Sustainability, 13(16), 1-20. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13168854
Jacobs, L., Du Preez, E. A., & Fairer-Wessels, F. (2020). To wish upon a star: Exploring Astro Tourism as a vehicle for sustainable rural development. Development Southern Africa, 37(1), 87-104.‏ doi.org/10.1080/0376835X.2019.1609908
khodamoradpour, M., & Zanganeh, M. (2019). Investigating the Components of Rural Sustainable Development: Challenges and Solutions [Persian]. Geography and Human Relationships, 2(2), 186-199. https://dorl.net/dor/20.1001.1.26453851.1398.2.2.12.2
Liu, C., Dou, X., Li, J., & Cai, L. A. (2020). Analyzing government role in rural tourism development: An empirical investigation from China. Journal of Rural Studies, 79, 177-188.‏ doi.org/10.1016/j.jrurstud.2020.08.046
Liu, Y. L., Chiang, J. T., & Ko, P. F. (2023). The benefits of tourism for rural community development. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10(1), 1-12.‏ https://www.nature.com/articles/s41599-023-01610-4
López-Sanz, J. M., Penelas-Leguía, A., Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, P., & Cuesta-Valiño, P. (2021). Sustainable development and consumer behavior in rural tourism—the importance of image and loyalty for host communities. Sustainability, 13(9), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13094763
Mak, B. K., Cheung, L. T., & Hui, D. L. (2017). Community participation in the decision-making process for sustainable tourism development in rural areas of Hong Kong, China. Sustainability, 9(10), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101695
Martín Martín, J. M., Salinas Fernandez, J. A., Rodriguez Martin, J. A., & Ostos Rey, M. D. S. (2020). Analysis of tourism seasonality as a factor limiting the sustainable development of rural areas. Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, 44(1), 45-75.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/1096348019876688
Martínez, J. M. G., Martín, J. M. M., Fernández, J. A. S., & Mogorrón-Guerrero, H. (2019). An analysis of the stability of rural tourism as a desired condition for sustainable tourism. Journal of Business Research, 100, 165-174.‏ doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2019.03.033
Mihai, F. C., & Iatu, C. (2020). Sustainable rural development under Agenda 2030. Sustainability Assessment at the 21st century, 9-18.‏ https://books.google.com/books?hl=fa&lr=&id=yJj8DwAAQBAJ&oi
Mirlotfi, M., heidary, H., & Shahraki Khammar, Z. (2020). Identification and Prioritization of Rural Tourism Potentials in Arid Areas: Case Study of Zahak City Villages [Persian]. Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies, 11(40), 21-38. https://jargs.hsu.ac.ir/article_161516.html
Mousavand, J., Mahmoudi, M., & Cheraghi, R. (2013). The development of rural tourism in the direction of sustainable development [Persian]. Geographical Journal of Tourism Space, 2(8), 81-97. https://sanad.iau.ir/journal/gjts/Article/520591?jid=520591
Najmi, S., & Vali Shariat Panahi, M. (2010). The role of tourism in stable rural development (case study: Lavasan Koochak rural district, Lavasanant County) [Persian]. Geographical Journal of Territory, 7(25), 81-92. sid. https://sid.ir/paper/116164/fa
Petrović, M. D., Vujko, A., Gajić, T., Vuković, D. B., Radovanović, M., Jovanović, J. M., & Vuković, N. (2017). Tourism as an approach to sustainable rural development in post-socialist countries: A comparative study of Serbia and Slovenia. Sustainability, 10(1), 1-14.‏ doi.org/10.3390/su10010054
Rahimipour, B., Zaheri, M., & Karimzadeh, H. (2024). The Formulation of Sustainable Development Scenarios of Rural Tourism with A Foresight Approach (Case Study: Tourism Destination Villages-Saqez County) [Persian]. Journal of Tourism and Development, 13(1), 109-127. doi: 10.22034/jtd.2022.295243.2404
Rajabnejad Sheikhani, S., Ahmadian, M., Jafari, H., & Jahani, M. (2019). Survey of tourism in sustainable economic development in sustainable rural development, focusing on economic dimensions, case study: Fouman County [Persian]. Watershed Engineering and Management, 11(3), 784-797. doi: 10.22092/ijwmse.2018.121083.1458
Rangus, M., Brumen, B., & Topler, J. P. (2017). Sustainable tourism development in rural areas: The role of stakeholders. Academica Turistica-Tourism and Innovation Journal, 10(2),1-124. https://academica.turistica.si/index.php/AT-TIJ/article/view/86
Rogerson, C. M., & Rogerson, J. M. (2022). The first round impacts of COVID-19 on rural tourism in South Africa. Studia Periegetica, 37, 63-86.‏ https://yadda.icm.edu.pl/yadda/element/bwmeta1.element.ojs-doi-10_5604_01_3001_0015_8579
Romanenko, Y. O., Boiko, V. O., Shevchuk, S. M., Barabanova, V. V., & Karpinska, N. V. (2020). Rural development by stimulating agro-tourism activities. International Journal of Management (IJM), 11(4), 605-613.‏ http://www.iaeme.com/ijm/issues.asp?JType=IJM&VType=11&IType=4
Saljooghi, S., Tabrizi, N., & Ramezanzadeh, M. (2023). Pathology of tourism destination management in desert areas (Case Study: Baft) [Persian]. Journal of Arid Regions Geographic Studies, 14(52), 96-67. doi: 10.22034/jargs.2023.378024.1004
Shahbazi, H., & Mousavi Mahmoodabadi, S. B. (2023). Analyzing the role of tourism in sustainable rural development (Case of study: Mahmoodabad village, Khodabande city, Zanjan province) [Persian]. Geography and Human Relationships, 6(2), 108-124. doi: 10.22034/gahr.2023.383812.1809
Villanueva-Álvaro, J. J., Mondéjar-Jiménez, J., & Sáez-Martínez, F. J. (2017). Rural tourism: Development, management, and sustainability in rural establishments. Sustainability, 9(5),1-8. doi.org/10.3390/su9050818
Wijijayanti, T., Agustina, Y., Winarno, A., Istanti, L. N., & Dharma, B. A. (2020). Rural tourism: A local economic development. Australasian Accounting, Business and Finance Journal, 14(1), 5-13.‏ https://ro.uow.edu.au/aabfj/vol14/iss1/2/
Woyesa, T., & Kumar, S. (2021). The potential of coffee tourism for rural development in Ethiopia: a sustainable livelihood approach. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 23(1), 815-832.‏ https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10668-020-00610-7
Xu, J., Yang, M., Hou, C., Lu, Z., & Liu, D. (2021). Distribution of rural tourism development in geographical space: A case study of 323 traditional villages in Shaanxi, China. European Journal of Remote Sensing, 54(sup2), 318-333 https://www.proquest.com/openview/a30290722d855fd736af07796d6c7e14/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=3933194
journal of sustainable rural development
Volume 8, Issue 2 - Serial Number 14
Autumn and Winter
Autumn 2024
Pages 195-206