Ranking the factors affecting sustainable ecotourism in the Anzali Free Trade Zone with emphasis on ecological capability

Subject Areas :

Shahrzad Karimifar ¹ , Seyyed Mohammadreza Khatibi ² , Vahid Bigdeli Rad ³

1 - PhD student of Department of Urban Planning, Qazvin branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Depatment of urban planning, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.
3 - Associate Professor, Department of Urban Planning, Qazvin Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qazvin, Iran.

Received: 2023-12-14 Accepted : 2024-06-09 Published : 2024-07-18

Keywords: Development, Ecotourism, Sustainability, Ecological Capability, Anzali Free Trade Zone,

Abstract :

Tourism is a key economic sector all over the world that creates a great lever for local economic development, but at the same time, it also imposes significant environmental pressures on local natural resources. Meanwhile, ecotourism (nature-oriented tourism) can be a suitable alternative to traditional tourism to minimize the effects on the ecosystem. On the other hand, the concept of capacity or power is born from ecological knowledge and is based on the principle that there is always a limit to the growth of biological populations. One of the most important sources of attracting tourists is the natural potential in each region, which has the highest demand in the tourism industry. In this regard, recognizing each region's capabilities is introduced as a necessity to create sustainable tourism. It is said that the sustainable tourism approach provides higher-quality tourist services and can improve the quality of life for residents. Therefore, sustainable ecotourism development criteria and indicators in each region are known and recommended as an important tool for tourism management. Therefore, attracting tourists and managing them based on the principles of sustainable development requires the adoption of correct management strategies in each region. Therefore, sustainable ecotourism development criteria and indicators in each region are known and recommended as an important tool for tourism management. Therefore, the development of sustainable ecotourism requires special attention to the ecological capacity of the regions and the identification of criteria, detailed planning and finally monitoring tools. The main question of the present research is, what are the most important sustainability criteria of ecotourism with emphasis on the power of ecology according to their degree of importance? In this regard, the most important factors are extracted using the meta-analysis of the available sources and then prioritized using the fuzzy Delphi method. In the first stage, the existing opinions are based and analyzed using the seven-step technique of Sandlowski and Barroso (2007), which is a structured model for qualitative text analysis and extracting concepts, and the tables of the Critical Assessment Skills Program (CASP). to be In the second stage, the most important ranking of the factors is determined by using the experts' questionnaire and the fuzzy Delphi method. The results show that the environmental criterion with a weight of 0.01499800 is in the first place, the economic and indicative-management (institutional) criterion with a weight of 0.01487002 is in the second place, and the socio-cultural criterion is in the third place with a weight of 0.01398003, and finally, the technology criterion is with a weight of 0.013482002. The criteria are ranked fourth. Also, 10 of the most important sustainability indicators of ecotourism with emphasis on ecological power in the Anzali Free Trade Zone are weather conditions, economic power, natural landscapes, natural potentials, sustainable water supply, economic growth, environmental quality, green tourism, tourism capacity and safety (environmental and human crises). Finally, some suggestions are presented regarding the research topic, including that ecotourism can be established in various areas and not only in protected natural areas. In addition to preserving the ecology of the regions, this issue can also use the maximum ecological capacity of diverse regions and reduce the concentration of tourists in one region.

References:

• ابراهیمی، ه.، رمضانی، ب.، جدی مصطفی لو، الف و محمدیان، ت. (1388). شناخت پتانسیل¬های اکوتوریستی و آسایش زیست اقلیمی تالاب انزلی با روش بیکر. اکوبیولوژی تالاب (تالاب)، 1(1)، 70-60.
• اسفندیاری، ع. الف.، مقدس حسین¬زاده، س. و دلاوری، م. (1387). ارزیابی عملکرد مناطق آزاد تجاری ایران و تاثیر آن در توسعه اقتصادی این مناطق. پژوهش‌نامه اقتصادی، 8 (1 (پیاپی 28))، 146-119.
• آزادخانی، پ.، بسطامی، ر. و آزادی، ی. (1396). بررسی نقش اکولوژی اجتماعی در بافت¬های فرسوده هسته مرکزی شهر ایلام. مطالعات عمران شهری، 1(1)، 31-15.
• پوراحمد، الف.، حمیدی، الف.، فرهادی، الف. و حسین پور، م. (1395). ارزیابی چالش¬ها و فرصت¬های ایجاد شهر خلاق در مناطق آزاد تجاری (مطالعه موردی: منطقه آزاد تجاری ارس). مطالعات برنامه¬ریزی سکونتگاه¬های انسانی (چشم¬انداز جغرافیایی)، 11(37)، 18-1.
• دانایی¬فر، ح. و مظفری، ز. (1387). ارتقاء روایی و پایایی در پژوهش¬های کیفی مدیریتی: تاملی بر استراتژی¬های ممیزی پژوهشی. پژوهش¬های مدیریت، 1 (1) 162-131.
• رخشانی نسب، ح. ر. (۱۳۸۸). چالش¬ها و فرصت¬های توسعه اکوتوریسم در ایران. فضای جغرافیایی، ۹ (۲۸)،‌ 55-41.
• سازمان مسکن و شهرسازي استان گیلان (1390). طرح توسعه و عمران شهر بندر انزلی. جلد پنجم، مهندسین مشاور نقش جهان پارس.
• سالمی،‌ م.، جوزی،‌ ع.، ملماسی، س.، رضائیان،‌ س. و بسیطی، ر. (۱۴۰۱). تعیین توان و ظرفیت برد اجتماعی و فرهنگی با هدف استقرار توسعه کاربری گردشگری طبیعت (مطالعه موردی: منطقه حفاظت شده کرخه، ایران). نشریه تحقیقات کاربردی علوم جغرافیایی، ۲۲ (۶۷)، 333-317.
• شفیعی رودپشتی، م.، بهرامی، ف. و کریمی¬زاده سوهانی، ف. (1398). ارائه الگوی رقابت¬پذیری در مناطق آزاد تجاری. کاوش-های مدیریت بازرگانی، 11(21)، 207-181.
• عبدالهی، م.، عبدالهی، ص. و ایلدرمی، ع. ر. (1398). تحلیل پتانسیل¬های طبیعت¬گردی شهرستان لنجان و عوامل مؤثر بر توسعه آن. جغرافیایی فضای گردشگری، 8 (32 )، 138-125.
• مهردانش، گ.، و نوری، ک. (1397). ارزیابی و تحلیل عوامل مؤثر در توسعه و اقامت گردشگری روستای هدف گردشگری مطالعه موردی: روستای دشه. جغرافیا و روابط انسانی، 1 (2)، 81-59.
• نادری، م.،‌ امیری، م. ج.، کرمی، ش. و نادری، م. (۱۳۹۳). نقش اكوتوريسم در توسعه پايدار روستايي با روش SWOT مطالعه موردي: رضي آباد شهريار. اكوسيستم¬هاي طبيعي ايران، ۵ (۳)، 101-85.
• ناصریان اصل، ز.، قضاوی، ر. و صیاد، د. (1400). ارائه و اولویت¬بندی استراتژی¬های مدیریتی توسعه اکوتوریسم پایدار در حوضه آبخیز ونایی با استفاده از ماتریس تحلیلی SWOT و QSPM. جغرافیا و پایداری محیط (پژوهش‌نامه جغرافیایی)، 11(39)، 119-105.
• Abdolahi, M., Abdolahi, P. and Ilderami, A. R. (2019). Ecotourism potential analysis of Lenjan township and Factors influencing its development. Geography of Tourism Space, 8 (32), 138-125. [in Persian]
• Akira Ishikawa, Michio Amagasa, Tetsuo Shiga, Giichi Tomizawa, Rumi Tatsuta, Hiroshi Mieno. (1993). The max-min Delphi method and fuzzy Delphi method via fuzzy integration. Fuzzy Sets and Systems, 55 (3): 241-253, ISSN 0165-0114, https://doi.org/10.1016/0165-0114(93)90251-C.
• Aliani, H., BabaieKafaky, S., Saffari, A., & Monavari, S. M. (2017). Land evaluation for ecotourism development integrated approach based on FUZZY, WLC, and ANP methods. 14 (9): 1999-2008, DOI: 10.1007/s13762-017-1291-5
• Azadkhani, P., Bastami, R. and Azadi, Y. (2017). Investigating the role of social ecology in the worn-out tissues of the central core of Ilam city. Urban Civil Studies, 1(1), 15-31. [in Persian]
• Barnett, A., Abrantes, K. G., Baker, R., Diedrich, A., S. Farr, M., Kuilboer, A., Mahony, T., McLeod, I., Moscardo, G., Prideaux, M., ...More. (2016). Sport fisheries, conservation, and sustainable livelihoods: a multidisciplinary guide to developing best practice. Fish and Fisheries, 17 (3): 696-713, DOI: 10.1111/faf.12140
• Basyuni, M., Bimantara, Y., Siagian, M., Wati, R., Slamet, B., Sulistiyono, N., Nuryawan, A., & Leidonad, R. (2018). Developing community-based mangrove management through eco-tourism in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Friendly city 4 from research to implementation for better sustainability, Book Series: IOP Conference Series-Earth and Environmental Science, Volume: 126, Article Number: 012109, DOI: 10.1088/1755-1315/126/1/012109, 4th International Conference on Friendly City - From Research to Implementation For Better Sustainability, Univ Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia, Oct11-12, 2017
• Bhattacharya, P., & Kumari, S. (2004). Application of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Ecotourism: Scenario under Globalization. Abstract and Paper Submitted for the IASCP Bi-Annual Conference on “The Commons in an Age of Global Transition: Challenges, Risk and Opportunities” at Oaxaca, Mexico from 9-14 August 2004.
• Blakey, N., Social Research Design. Translated by Hasan Chavoshian, Nei Publishing House, Tehran, 2017, second edition, 113-135. [in Persian]
• Chen, F., Liu, J., Wu, J., Jiang, J., Yan, L., & Lim, P. (2021). Perception-based sustainability evaluation and development path of ecotourism: Taking Pulau Perhentian in Malaysia and Weizhou Island in China as examples. Environment development and sustainability, 23 (12): 18488-18508, DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01457-2
• Danai Far, H. and Mozafari, Z. (2008). Enhancing validity and reliability in qualitative management research: reflection on research audit strategies. Management Research, 1 (1) 162-131. [in Persian]
• Danai Far, H. and Mozafari, Z. (2008). Enhancing validity and reliability in qualitative management research: reflection on research audit strategies. Management Research, 1 (1) 162-131. [in Persian]
• Del Chiappa, G., & Lorenzo-Romero, C. (2014). Environmental issues to profile the consumers’ attitude: a latent segmentation approach. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 13(10), 2449-2457.
• Ebrahimi, H., Ramezani, B., Jedi Mostafalou, A., Mohamadiyan, T. (2009). Knowing the ecotourism potentials and bioclimatic comfort of Anzali Wetland with Baker's method. Journal of Wetland Ecobiology, 1 (1): 60-70. [in Persian]
• Esfandiari, A. A., Moghadis Hosseinzadeh, S. and Delavari, M. (2008). Evaluating the performance of Iran's free trade zones and its impact on the economic development of these zones. Economic Research Journal, 8 (1 (28 series)), 119-146. [in Persian]
• Fredrickson, L.M. (2001). Wilderness ecotourism and education as a means of promoting an international environmental ethic. Edited by: Watson, A. Sproull, J., Science, and stewardship to protect and sustain wilderness values, Book Series: USDA forest service rocky mountain research station proceedings, 27: 188-193, 7th World Wilderness Congress Symposium, Port Elizabeth, South Africa, NOV 02-08, 2001.
• González-Guerrero, G., Olivares Robles, A., Valdez Pérez, M., Morales Ibarra, R., & Castañeda Martínez, T. (2016). The Application of the Tourist Carrying Capacity Technique and its Critical Analysis for Tourism Planning. Tourism Planning & Development, 13, 72 - 87.
• Goodwin, H. (1996). In pursuit of ecotourism. Biodiversity and Conservation, 5 (3):277-291, DOI: 10.1007/BF00051774
• Hohl, A. (2013). Edited by: Tisdell, C., Ecotourism as an instrument to conserve biodiversity. Handbook of tourism economics: analysis, new applications, and case studies, Article; Book Chapter: 813-843.
• Housing and Urban Development Organization of Gilan Province (2018). Bandar Anzali city development and development plan. The fifth volume, consulting engineers Naqsh Jahan Pars. [in Persian]
• Hsiao, C. Y., Kuo, C. M., Tuan, C. L. (2021). Island Ecological Tourism: Constructing Indicators of the Tourist Service System in the Penghu National Scenic Area. Frontiers in ecology and evolution, 9, Article Number: 708344.
• Jamaliah, M. M., Powell, R. B. (2018). Ecotourism resilience to climate change in Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan. Journal of sustainable tourism, 26 (4): 519-536, DOI: 10.1080/09669582.2017.1360893
• Jiang, C., Li, H., & Li, G. (2013). Research about the Evaluation of Ecological Carrying Capacity in Beijing Mountainous Valley Areas -A Case Study of Jiuyuan Valley Region. International Conference on Material Science and Environmental Engineering (MSEE), Adv Informat Sci Res Ctr, Wuhan, PEOPLES R CHINA, AUG 17-18, 2013, 49-52
• Kairova, Sh. G., Essimova, D. D., & Malikova, F. M. (2018). Sustainable Ecological Tourism Development in the Republic of Kazakhstan: Problems and Prospects. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, Volume 204, The 17th Theoretical and Practical Conference "Opportunities For Development of Regional Studies of Siberia and Neighbouring Areas" 30 October to 1 November 2018, Tomsk, Russian Federation.
• Kaufmann, A., & Gupta, M.M. (1988). Fuzzy mathematical models in engineering and management science.
• Lario, J., & Soler, V. (2010). Microclimate monitoring of Pozalagua cave (Vizcaya, Spain): application to management and protection of show caves, Journal of Cave and Karst Studies, 72: 169 –180.
• Li, H., & Hou, L. (2010). Evaluation on Tourism Sustainable Development of Wuhan City: Based on Analysis of Ecological Footprint. Edited by: Duserick, F. 9th Wuhan International Conference on E-Business, Wuhan, Peoples R China, May 29-30, 2010.
• Li, L., Dong, Y., Zhang, T., Wang, H., Li, H., & Li, Ang. (2022). Environmental and social outcomes of ecotourism in the dry rangelands of China. Journal of ecotourism, DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2022.2048841
• Libosada, C. M. (2009). Business or leisure? Economic development and resource protection-Concepts and practices in sustainable ecotourism. Ocean and Coastal Management, 52 (7); 390-394, DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2009.04.004
• Liu, C., Li, J., & Pechacek, P. (2013). Current trends of ecotourism in China's nature reserves: A review of the Chinese literature. Tourism management perspectives, 7: 16-24, DOI: 10.1016/j.tmp.2013.03.001
• Mahdavi, A., Niknejad, M., & Karam, O. (2015). A fuzzy multi-criteria decision method for locating ecotourism development. Caspian J. Env. Sci., 13 (3): 221-236.
• Maragh, S., & Gaunette, M. (2019). Ecotourism in Protected Areas: A Sustainable Development Framework. Environmental impacts of tourism in developing nations, Book Series: Advances in Hospitality Tourism and the Services Industry, pp: 22-41. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-5225-5843-9.ch002.
• Mehrdanesh, G., and Nouri, K. (2019). Evaluation and analysis of effective factors in the development and accommodation of tourism in the target village of tourism case study: Dashe village. Geography and Human Relations, 1(2), 81-59. [in Persian]
• Mulyasuryani, A., Waluyo, E., Ponco Pranant, Y., & Indrayani, E. (2022). Ecotourism Development in Sampangan Muncar Beach Banyuwangi. Asian Journal of Research in Biochemistry, 11 (1): 43-53.
• Nabin, B. (2014). Evaluation and resilience of ecotourism in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION, 41(1), pp: 84-92. DOI: 10.1017/S037689291300035.
• Naderi, M., Amiri, M. J., Karmi, Sh. and Naderi, M. (2014). The role of ecotourism in sustainable rural development with the SWOT method, a case study: Razi Abad Shahriar. Natural Ecosystems of Iran, 5 (3), 101-85. [in Persian]
• Naserian Asl, Z., Qazawi, R. and Sayad, D. (2021). Presenting and prioritizing management strategies for the development of sustainable ecotourism in the Venai watershed using SWOT and QSPM analytical matrix. Geography and Environmental Sustainability (Geographic Research), 11(39), 119-105. [in Persian]
• Nayak, H., Das, S., Mohanty, T.L., Behera, S., Behera, M.C., & Parimanik, B.K. (2022). Contribution of Different Ecotourism Sites to the Local Livelihood of Bhubaneswar City, Odisha. Frontiers in Crop Improvement, 10: 2690-2694 (Special Issue-VI) December 2022, Print ISSN: 2393-8234. Online ISSN: 2454-6011.
• Neuman, L., Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (Vol. 1). Translated by Abolhasan Faqihi and Asal Azam, Iranian Association of Management Sciences, Terme. Tehran, 2012, third edition, 96-117. [in Persian]
• Olaniyi, O. E., Zakaria, M., Akinsorotan, O. A., & Martins, C. O. (2022). Assessing the influence of touristification's infrastructural element on the phytosociological structure of a protected tropical ecosystem in Benin Republic. Journal of ecotourism, DOI: 10.1080/14724049.2022.2066110.
• Paulus, A. (2009). Impacts of Ecotourism on the Behaviour of Sulawesi Crested Black Macaques (Macaca nigra) and Spectral Tarsiers (Tarsius spectrum) in the Tangkoko-Batuangus Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia (unpublished dissertation & thesis).
• Pourahmad, A., Hamidi, A., Farhadi, A. and Hosseinpour, M. (2016). Evaluating the challenges and opportunities of creating a creative city in free trade zones (case study: Aras Free Trade Zone). Human settlement planning studies (geographic perspective), 11(37), 1-18. [in Persian]
• Rahmani, A., Fakhraee, A., Karami, S., & Kamari, Z. (2015). A Quantitative Approach to Estimating Carrying Capacity in Determining the Ecological Capability of Urban Tourism Areas (Case Study: Eram Boulevard of Hamadan City). Asia pacific journal of tourism research, 20 (7): 807-821, DOI: 10.1080/10941665.2014.934702
• Rakhshani Nasab, h. R. (2008). Challenges and opportunities of ecotourism development in Iran. Geographical Space, 9 (28), 41-55. [in Persian]
• Rhama, B. (2018). The Analysis of the Central Kalimantan Tourism Development Plan Based on Ecotourism Policy Perspective. Policy & Governance Review, 2 (3): 204-216. doi: 10.30589/pgr.v2i3.110
• Salemi, M., Jozi, A., Melmasi, S., Rezaian, S. and Basiti, R. (2022). Determining the power and capacity of the social and cultural range to establish the development of nature tourism use (case study: Karkheh protected area, Iran). Applied Research Journal of Geographical Sciences, 22 (67), 317-333. [in Persian]
• Salemi, M., Jozi, S. A., Malmasi, S., & Rezaian, S. (2019). A conceptual framework for evaluation of ecotourism carrying capacity for sustainable development of Karkheh protected area, Iran. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 26 (4): 354-366.
• Serena Mancini, M., Barioni, D., Danelutti, C., Barnias, A., Bracanov, V., Pisce, G. (2022). Ecological Footprint and tourism: Development and sustainability monitoring of ecotourism packages in Mediterranean Protected Areas. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism- Research Planning and Management, 38, Article Number: 100513, DOI: 10.1016/j.jort.2022.100513
• Serena Mancini, M., Evans, M., Iha, K., Danelutti, C., & Galli, A. (2018). Assessing the Ecological Footprint of Ecotourism Packages: A Methodological Proposition. Resources- Basel, 7 (2), Article Number: 38, DOI: 10.3390/resources7020038.
• Serra, G. (2007). Ecotourism in the Palmyra Desert, Syria: A Feasibility Study. BirdLife International.
• Shafei Roudposhti, M., Bahrami, F. and Karimizadeh Sohani, F. (2019). Providing a model of competitiveness in free trade zones. Business Management Studies, 11(21), 181-207. [in Persian]
• Shang, Y., Sun, Y. & Xu, A. (2021). Rural ecotourism planning and design based on SWOT analysis. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, 15 (3), 368-372.
• Sharpley, R. (2009). Tourism development and the environment: Beyond sustainability? London: Earthscan.
• Sobhani, P., Esmaeilzadeh, H., Sadeghi, S., & Marcu, M. (2022). Estimation of Ecotourism Carrying Capacity for Sustainable Development of Protected Areas in Iran. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 Jan 18; 19(3):1059. doi 10.3390/ijerph19031059. PMID: 35162082; PMCID: PMC8834276.
• Vipriyanti, N., Semadi, I., Gusti Ngurah, M. D., & Fauzi, A. (2022). Developing mangrove ecotourism in Nusa Penida Sacred Island, Bali, Indonesia. Environmental development and sustainability, DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02721-9, Early Access: OCT 2022
• Voza, D. & Fedajev, A. (2021). Strategic approach to the development of ecotourism in Bor District, Serbia. Hotel and Tourism Management, 8 (2), 89-100.
• Wang, G., Innes, J. L., Wu, S. W., Krzyzanowski, J., Yin, Y., Dai, S., Zhang, X., & Liu, S., (2012). National Park Development in China: Conservation or Commercialization? AMBIO, 41 (3): 247-261, DOI: 10.1007/s13280-011-0194-9
• Wangzhou, K., Hao, C., & Wang, H. (2020). construction of evaluation model of ecotourism resources in featured small towns. Kybernetes, 52 (2), pp. 554-565. https://doi.org/10.1108/K-11-2021-1231
• Wei, P., Liyang, Z., Xiaoxiao, Z., Bo, X., Shumeng, D., Yu, W., & Dan, L. (2015). The Research on Efficiency Evaluation and Optimization of Eco-tourism in Coastal Zone Based on Data Envelopment Analysis. International Conference on Education Technology, Management and Humanities Science (ETMHS), Xian, PEOPLES R CHINA, MAR 21-22, 2015, Book Series: Advances in Social Science Education and Humanities Research, Volume 27: 1401-1404.
• Weinberg, A., Bellows, S., & Ekster, D. (2002). Sustaining ecotourism: Insights and implications from two successful case studies. Society and natural resources, 15 (4): 371-380, doi:10.1080/089419202753570846.
• Wu, W., Zhang, X., Yang, Z., Qin, W., Wang, F., & Wang, C. (2015). Ecotourism Suitability and Zoning from the Tourist Perspective: a Nature Reserve Case Study. Polish Journal of Environmental Studies, 24 (6): 2683-2697.
• Xuan, F. (2011). Countermeasure Analysis on Ecotourism Sustainable Development of Wetland Nature Reserves in Heilongjiang Province. International Conference on Applied Social Science, Changsha, PEOPLES R CHINA, MAR 19-20, 2011, 352-355.
• Yan, X. (2022). Evaluation Method of Ecological Tourism Carrying Capacity of Popular Scenic Spots Based on Set Pair Analysis Method. Journal of Advanced Transportation, Volume 2022, Article Number: 9715248, DOI: 10.1155/2022/9715248
• Yonghong, L., Bao, X., (2014). Research Progress in the Ecotourism Environmental Carrying Capacity. Sustainable development of industry and economy, PTS 1 AND 2, Volume 869-870, pp: 781-785, 3rd International Conference on Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development (EESD 2013), NOV 12-13, 2013, Shanghai, PEOPLES R CHINA. DOI: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.869-870.781
• Zhang, K., & Wang, D. (2020). The method of evaluating the environmental carrying capacity of green ecotourism is based on the perception and experience of tourists. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 29 (9A(: 8584-8591.
• Zhang, M., & Chen, G. (2011). A New Model of Ecotourism System Construction through Recycling Economy-A Case Study of the East Overseas Chinese Town in Shenzhen, China., Page: 189-194, International Conference on Strategic Management (ICSM 2011), Phuket, THAILAND, DEC 21-23, 2011
• Zheng, R., Zhen, S., Mei, L., & Jiang, H. (2021). Ecotourism Practices in Potatso National Park from the Perspective of Tourists: Assessment and Developing Contradictions. SUSTAINABILITY, 13 (22), Article Number:12655, DOI: 10.3390/su132212655
• Zhou, L. (2021). Investigating the evaluation model of ecotourism resources in small cities based on ecological theory. Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, 30 (11), 11750-11756.
• Ebrahimi, H., Ramezani, B., Jedi Mustafa-Lo, A. and Mohammadian, T. (2009). Knowing the ecotourism potentials and bioclimatic comfort of Anzali lagoon with Baker's method. Wetland Ecobiology, 1(1), 60-70. (in Persian)
• Esfandiari, A. A., Moghadas Hosseynzadeh, S. and Delavari, M. (2008). Evaluation of Iran’s Free Trade Zones and Its Effects on Economic Development of These Zones. Economic’s Research, 8 (1 (28 series)), 119-146. (in Persian)
• Azadkhani, P., Bastami, R. and Azadi, Y. (2017). Investigating the role of social ecology in the worn-out tissues of the central core of Ilam city. Urban Civil Studies, 1(1), 15-31. (in Persian)
• Pourahmad, A., Hamidi, A., Farhadi, A. and Hosseynpour, M. (2017). Evaluating the challenges and opportunities of creating a creative city in free trade zones (case study: Aras Free Trade Zone). Human Settlement Planning Studies (geographic perspective), 11(37), 1-18. (in Persian)
• Danai Far, H. and Mozafari, Z. (2009). Enhancing validity and reliability in qualitative management research: reflection on research audit strategies. Management Research, 1(1), 131-162. (in Persian)
• Rakhshani Nasab, h. R., Zarabi, A. (2008). Challenges and opportunities of ecotourism development in Iran. Geographical Space, 9 (28), 41-55. (in Persian)
• Housing and Urban Development Organization of Gilan Province (2018). Bandar Anzali city development and development plan. The fifth volume, consulting engineers Naqsh Jahan Pars. (in Persian)
• Salemi, M., Jozi, A., Melmasi, S., Rezaian, S. and Basiti, R. (2022). Determine potential and social and cultural carrying capacity with the purpose of the establishment in ecotourism development (Case study: Southern Karkheh protected area, Iran). 22 (67), 317-333. (in Persian)
• Shafii Roodposhti, M., Bahrami, F. and Karimizadeh Shavani, F. (2019). Presenting the Pattern of Competition in Free Trade Zones. Business Management Studies, 11(21), 181-207. (in Persian)
• Abdulahi, M., Abdulahi, P. and Ilderami, A. R. (2019). Analysis of nature tourism potentials of Lanjan city and factors affecting its development. Geography of Tourism Space, 8 (32), 125-138. (in Persian)
• Mehrdanesh, G., and Nouri, K. (2018). Evaluating and analyzing the factors influencing tourism tourism development Case Study; (Deshe village). Geography and Human Relationships, 1(2), 59-81. (in Persian)
• Naderi, M., Amiri, M. J., Karmi, Sh. and Naderi, M. (2014). The role of ecotourism in sustainable rural development with the SWOT method, a case study: Razi Abad Shahriar. Natural Ecosystems of Iran, 5 (3), 85-101. (in Persian)
• Naserian Asl, Z., Qhazawi, R. and Sayad, D. (2021). Presenting and prioritizing management strategies for the development of sustainable ecotourism in the Venai watershed using SWOT and QSPM analytical matrix. Geography and Environmental Sustainability (Geographic Research), 11(39), 105-119. (in Persian)