Extended Abstract

Introduction

Rural tourism has been regarded as a key strategy in rural development in recent decades (Zhou et al., 2021). Despite its significant economic benefits (Yuxi & Linshenga, 2020), tourism can have multiple negative consequences such as land use changes, congestion and traffic, cultural conflicts, and adverse economic impacts (such as rising land prices and inflation) (Peymanfar, 2020: 20). These negative outcomes, especially in rural environments with diverse functions and stakeholders (including residents, tourists, tourism business owners, and government institutions), create grounds for conflicts among stakeholders. Conflict, defined as a state of disagreement, opposition, or struggle over goals, needs, desires, and values (Caber et al., 2019), is an inevitable phenomenon which, according to existing theoretical literature, can be perceived as a threat to individual and group relationships, particularly local communities (Chien & Ritchie, 2018), leading to destructive (dysfunctional) consequences such as weakening social cohesion and economic outcomes of tourism development (Cox et al., 2017). Alternatively, if properly managed, it can be a natural part of social life, essential for change, and possess constructive (functional) aspects (Wang & Yotsumoto, 2019). Therefore, the present study aims to comprehensively analyze and evaluate the effects and consequences of conflicts among stakeholders on the residents of rural tourism destinations in Torghabeh and Shandiz County.



Methodology

This study is categorized as fundamental-applied research in terms of its objective and quantitative in terms of methodological nature. Data were collected through questionnaires from 392 residents of 19 tourism destination villages in Torqabeh and Shandiz County (using Cochran's formula and random sampling) employing a researcher-made questionnaire. For analyzing the quantitative data, descriptive and inferential statistics were used in SPSS software. Additionally, for spatial analysis of the effects of conflict and ranking of villages based on positive and negative impact susceptibility, the PSI multi-criteria decision-making model was utilized. The validity of the questionnaire was evaluated using previous studies and the opinions of 17 experts, and its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's alpha.



Results and discussion

The results of the one-sample T-test for the indicators and dimensions of conflict impacts showed that, overall, the negative impacts of conflict on residents (mean 3.097) were significantly greater than its positive impacts (mean 2.797). This situation indicates that conflicts among stakeholders, due to inefficient management, have mostly led to dysfunctional outcomes. Among the most important dysfunctional outcomes are: the reduction of rural residents' well-being (especially the deprivation of comfort due to congestion and traffic), negative perceptions towards tourism, weakening of participation and social relations, and environmental-physical consequences (such as destruction of the natural environment and excessive construction). Functional (positive) outcomes were generally evaluated below average. However, some indicators had above-average means, such as: revitalization of the rural environment (mean 3.41), creation of investment opportunities (3.20), increased sense of place attachment (3.15), and increased intra-group cooperation (3.14). Additionally, the results from the PSI model showed that the villages of Mayan Olya, Tajer, Maj, Moghan, Abardeh Sofla, and others predominantly experienced dysfunctional conflict. In contrast, the villages of Azghad and Gerakhak exhibited predominantly functional conflict, leading to environmental-physical dynamism and the development of new job opportunities. The villages of Jagharg, Kong, Abardeh Olya, and Naghandar, with nearly equal positive and negative impacts, are in a dual state (functional and dysfunctional conflict).



Conclusion

The significant dominance of the negative impacts of conflict over its positive effects reveals the urgent need for managerial intervention in the rural tourism destinations of Torghabeh and Shandiz. This situation indicates that the existing conflicts among stakeholders act as dysfunctional conflicts, aligning with previous studies (Yang et al., 2013; Beekman et al., 2017; Gross et al., 2022) which consider conflict as a factor reducing cooperation and community welfare. It also corresponds with research identifying environmental damages (Hjalager, 2020) and spatial degradation (Loperena, 2017) as outcomes of land-use conflicts and decreased cooperation and welfare among local communities, as well as residents' negative perceptions of tourism development costs (Teng, 2019; Gascn, 2012) resulting from ineffective conflict management. Therefore, to mitigate the negative effects and consequences and to enhance the positive impacts of conflict, it is recommended to develop and implement regulations for managing tourist traffic flows to address congestion and traffic and restore residents' comfort; control construction and land-use changes ; promote responsible tourism development through educating stakeholders on sustainable management principles and raising awareness among tourists ; ensure equitable distribution of economic benefits ; provide opportunities for rural residents' participation in decision-making and tourism activities to reduce local dissatisfaction ; empower the local community by implementing specialized training programs, especially for women and youth, to manage dysfunctional conflicts and transform them into constructive conflicts ; and invest in the restoration of historical buildings and infrastructure development by relevant organizations (such as the Cultural Heritage Organization) to revive cultural heritage and promote the physical development of villages.