Planning for ecotourism in the protected area of Manesht and Ghelarang, Ilam Province, Iran

Abstract

This paper reports a study of the Manesht and Ghelarang protected area in Iran. The study sought to identify ways in which sustainable tourism policies could be generated that aid the natural and human environments. From surveys and questionnaires completed by tourists, residents and officials, an initial set of 10 areas of weakness, 9 strengths and 6 opportunities were identified. Using these classifications combined with mapping techniques that included maps of topography and flora, a subsequent TOPSIS analysis identified potential future policies that require infrastructure development and reinforced pro-environmental policies to address the problems currently being experienced.

Current challenges facing ecotourism development in Iran

“…An inappropriate use of natural resources (Bazm Ara et al, 2017), a lack of management and plans for environmental conservation (Abdolahi, 2007;, the poor performance of the National Ecotourism Committee (Abdolahi, 2007), a lack of environmental pollution taxes (Ahmadi et al, 2018), an absence of priority given to ecotourism development projects (Bazm Ara et al, 2017), the ambiguity of approaches to ecotourism development (Modiri et al, 2011), a lack of consolidated management for accurate targeting and monitoring of ecotourism development and its sustainable maintenance (Esmaeil Mohajer & Vahagan Varazdat, 2017), a lack of ecotourism promotion strategies (Shomalizade et al, 2015) and the presentation of natural attractions without taking into account the principles of responsible tourism (Zarabi & Safarabadi, 2014), are some of the challenges related to governance and planning of ecotourism development in Iran.…”

“…As Jenkins (2015) states, for tourism policymaking in developing countries, internal issues are important to establish a process to facilitate policy formulation, planning, and monitoring of the tourism sector. Such internal challenges to ecotourism development in Iran include economic recessions (Asadi, 2012), inexperienced workforces (Shomalizade et al, 2015), insufficient management experts and ecotourism professionals (Ahmadi et al, 2018;Kiakojori & Isa Karkroodi, 2015), a lack of coordination between ecotourism related organizations and local agencies (Abdolahi, 2007;Shomalizade et al, 2015), a lack of local people's agreement on the benefits of ecotourism development (Farajzadeh Asl & Karim Panah, 2009;Kolahi et al, 2013;Esmaeil Mohajer & Vahagan Varazdat, 2017) and a lack of community participation in the planning, development, and conservation of natural resources (Abdolahi, 2007). However, in partnership with local communities and conservation projects, the development of ecotourism can restore local livelihoods (Ghadiri Masoum et al, 2012).…”

“…Infrastructure is a significant factor in developing destinations (Adeola & Evans, 2020;Khadaroo & Seetanah, 2008, 2014 and in overall tourist impression and destination image (Imikan & Ekpo, 2012). The lack of infrastructure is one of the main limitations hindering tourism development in this country, despite its diverse cultural and natural attractions (Ahmadi et al, 2018;Hashemi & Ghaffary, 2017;Nematpour & Faraji, 2019;Tahbaz, 2016;Zamani-Farahani, 2016). Infrastructure problems are another obstacle to the development and implementation of ecotourism activities in Iran, reflected in the lack of reception and accommodation centers, the inadequacy of the transport system to facilitate access to ecotourism activities, the poor access to modern technology in areas likely to develop ecotourism (Asadi, 2012), the lack of tourist facilities in regions capable of developing ecotourism activities (Mobaraki et al, 2014) and the lack of appropriate environmental as well as physical infrastructure (Ghorbani et al, 2015).…”

“…Ecotourism is a potentially efficient tool for mass tourism adopted by policy-makers and planners (Mosammam, Sarrafi, Nia, & Heidari, 2016). It supports nature's protection and improves local communities' socio-economic conditions (Ahmadi, Khodadadi, & Shahabi, 2018;Shemshad & Malek Mohammadi, 2012) and contributes to increasing their education level (Mansoori, Behzad, & Jaybhaye, 2014). Ecotourism is directly linked to natural factors such as topography, hydrology networks, meteorological and the biological characteristics of the destinations linked to natural, intact, and protected areas (Mohajer & Avagyan, 2014).…”

“…In addition, feasibility studies on Iran's ecological attractions highlight ecotourism as its unique economic resource (Hadizadeh Zargar, 2016). Numerous studies were carried out on the potential of ecotourism in different regions of Iran and on various aspects of its development (e.g., Ahmadi et al, 2018;Ganjali et al, 2014;Mobaraki et al, 2014;Rakhshan Nasab & Zarabi, 2010;Zarabi & Safarabadi, 2014). On the contrary, some of the existing literature shows that ecotourism in this country has many challenges and obstacles.…”