Pathology of Sustainable Rural Tourism in Rural Areas Based on Tourism Stakeholders Approach: A case study of Sarein City

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Urban and Rural Planning, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Department of Public Administration and Tourism, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

10.22059/jhgr.2024.373285.1008674

Abstract

ABSTRACT
The main goal of the present research is the pathology of sustainable rural tourism in rural areas, which has been carried out by applying the approach of tourism stakeholders. This approach is one of the models related to tourism and sustainable development that many countries have adopted. The present research is of applied type and the method used in it is mixed. In the first phase, using the qualitative method, the Focus group with the main injuries or challenges are extracted, and in the second phase, they are prioritized using the quantitative survey method. The tool used in the first phase was semi-structured interviews and the judgmental sampling method was used, with 8 experts participating in the first panel and 7 experts participating in the second panel. In the second phase, the main tool is the questionnaire, which identified 32 experts using the stratified sampling method and answered the questions of the questionnaire. According to the findings of the research, in the first phase, 193 raw propositions were extracted. Then, using Atride-Sterling coding method, 102 basic themes, 47 organizing themes and 7 global themes were categorized. According to the calculations made in the second phase, among the dimensions, environmental and physical dimensions were identified as the most vulnerable dimensions of sustainable rural tourism. According to the results of the research, the damage of sustainable rural tourism is not limited to one or more specific factors, but includes different dimensions. The pathology of this type of tourism based on the approach of tourism beneficiaries makes it possible to protect the economic, natural or environmental assets and to protect the cultural and social contexts while accessing the available resources in the rural environment.
Extended Abstract
Introduction
Tourism activities in rural areas are directly related to sustainable development, and by supporting the protection of the natural and cultural resources of these areas and their sustainable use, it establishes a balance between the economic and ecological dimensions of development. For this reason, rural tourism is considered one of the channels of sustainable development through which rural areas can achieve economic, environmental and socio-cultural growth. In rural areas, along with the benefits and opportunities, there may be threats and challenges that need to be investigated and verified. On the other hand, some of these damages may be related to changes in the horizons and perspectives of rural development, which doubles the importance of paying attention to them. However, it is satisfactory when such tourism development is subject to the principles of sustainable development. This category causes, on the one hand, to try to preserve the environment in which tourism operates, and on the other hand, to create and even promote a type of tourism that minimizes its negative impact on the natural and social environments. be key For this reason, it is necessary to identify and explain the harms of sustainable rural tourism in Sarein city, so that while avoiding the bad and negative consequences in this area, the relevant goals and strategies can be adjusted to the opportunities and perspectives presented in the upstream documents. close to construction.
 
Methodology
The current research is mixed according to the practical purpose and the research method used in it, which has benefited from a sequential exploratory approach. In the first phase, two groups of experts and informants have been used in the field of rural tourism in Sarein using the qualitative method of the Focus group. The first group of academic and research experts in the field of rural tourism; Rural management and planning; public administration; Sociology and geography, and the second category consisting of executive-management experts (villagers, rural development experts, etc.) and rural tourism tour guides of Sarein city have been used, and these people have been identified and investigated using a targeted sampling method. The tools used in this phase are semi-structured interviews, which were first audio-recorded and then coded in written form. In more general terms, in the qualitative phase, the main dimensions and components in this field were extracted, and then in the quantitative phase, 32 experts answered the questions of the questionnaire using the questionnaire tool and stratified sampling. In addition to acceptable executive and managerial experience in this field, these experts also had a scientific-research background.
 
Results and Discussion
According to the findings of the research, in the first phase, 193 raw propositions were extracted. Then, using Atride-Sterling coding method, 102 basic themes, 47 organizing themes and 7 global themes were categorized. According to the calculations made in the second phase, among the dimensions, environmental and physical dimensions were identified as the most vulnerable dimensions of sustainable rural tourism. According to the calculations, all the experts; The resulting dimensions and components were approved.
According to the findings of the research, the mean and standard deviation of the extracted dimensions and components are within the acceptable range, and this shows the consensus of the experts regarding the identified dimensions and components. Among the extracted components, there are things like "reduction of villagers' dependence on agriculture and animal husbandry; physical and non-physical damage to the rural environment; the possibility of reducing and declining the quality and attractiveness of rural natural resources; conflict and disagreement over the preservation and accessibility of the tourism community and the host community; Negative effects on nature and the rural environment; destruction of existing natural shelters for animals with the construction of new buildings; the possibility of high soil erosion; creating a conflict between development and environmental protection" are more important than other identified components and The opinion of experts is also related to the importance of these injuries.
 
Conclusion
As a result, the sustainable approach to the development of tourism in rural areas takes place in the context of cooperation and participation of stakeholders and it leads to this type of tourism with a suitable approach to the resources available in the rural environment, from economic, natural or environmental assets. to protect and support cultural and social fields. Many people consider that the damages resulting from rural tourism are only physical and can be seen and touched, and in the text and the focus of attention, which are economic issues, they direct most of the damages to this category.
 
Funding
This research was supported by the University Of Mohaghegh Ardabili (Research grant number (1402/D/9/24336).
 
Authors’ Contribution
Authors contributed equally to the conceptualization and writing of the article. All of the authors approved thecontent of the manuscript and agreed on all aspects of the work declaration of competing interest none.
 
Conflict of Interest
Authors declared no conflict of interest.
 
Acknowledgments
We are grateful to all the scientific consultants of this paper.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Human Geography Research
Volume 57, Issue 1
May 2025
Pages 49-65

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