Determining ecotourism potential in Cherat Watershed basin using SWOT model

Subject Areas : Environmental pollutions (water, soil and air)

atekeh yazdani ¹ (MSc of Watershed Management Engineering, Department of Natural Resources, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran, Iran. * (Corresponding Author))
Ghorban Vahabzadeh Kebria ² (Associate Professor of Department of Watershed Management Science and Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran, Iran.)
Jafar Oladi ghadikilaei ³ (Associate Professor of Department of Forestry, Science and Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran, Iran)
Seyed Ramzan Mousavi ⁴ (Assistant Professor of Department of Watershed Management Science and Engineering, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Mazandaran, Iran.)

Received: 2017-07-10 Accepted : 2017-09-13 Published : 2019-06-22

Keywords: SWOT method, Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism, Cherat Watershed Basin,

Abstract :

Background and Objective: Charat Watershed Basin is the one of fresh, high potential and beautiful mountainous ranges of Mazandaran province. Although it has various ecotourism, geotourism and environmental phenomena, there are no facilities and background for tourism plans. In this study, SWOT methodology has been applied to investigate the potential and limitation of effective geologic items over ecotourism and finally, the best strategic was present for developing the ecotourism development planning. Method: The present study was performed based on a descriptive-analytic methodology and the data collection was done through fieldwork and documentary investigations. Using the SWOT method, the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the internal and external areas of the region were identified. Then, according to the matrix of data and analysis of the matrix elements, the most important internal and external factors affecting the cherat region were identified and prioritized. Finally, the strategies for applying appropriate and applicable management were presented for the study area. Findings: The findings indicate that the ecotourism power of Cherat village is important for the development of tourism industry. The advantages of tourism opportunities and internal strengths, such as exciting ecotourism attraction and diversity of natural and virgin landscapes in the region, indicate the extremely favorable conditions for nature tourism tours, various ecotourism activities and development of adventure tourism, sports, medical, scientific, summer and winter activities in the region. Discussion and Conclusion: The results show that the study area has a high potential for the development of ecotourism and sustainable tourism. The results also show that tourism development requires identifying, introducing and promoting advertising, developing facilities and infrastructure, as well as investing on expanding tourism attraction.

References:

1. Abdollahi, A., 2007. Ecotourism compatible with environmental protection and stability of natural resources. Proceedings of the 6th Iranian Conference on Agricultural Economics, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, p. 22.) In Persian(


2. Mohammadi, R., Feyzi, A., 2008. Study of the climate of Isfahan in order to develop tourism using the TCI method. First scientific global Student Conference on Geography. University of Tehran, pp.26-23.) In Persian(


3. Gacqueline, M., Hamilton, D.J., Madison, richars, J., tol, 2005. climate change and international tourism: A similation study, Global Environmental change. Vol. 15(3), pp. 253-266.


4. World Tourist Organization,1998. Tourism 2020 Vision. WTO Publication. Unit, World Tourism, Organization, Madrid, Spain.


5. Butler ,R.W., 2002. Ectourism- has it achieved maturity or has the bubble burst Pacific Rim tourism NewZealand, P256.


6. Azadi, S., Shariatmadari, M., 2015. Editing and Prioritization of Ecotourism Development Strategies Using the SWOT Model and Intuitive Methodology in Kermanshah Province.  Journal of Geographic Space. Vol.15 (49), pp. 187-169.) In Persian(


7. AminBidokhti, A., Jafari, S., Soltani Nezhad, M., 2016. Analysis of Factors Influencing Ecotourism in Rafsanjan City Based on SWOT Model, Case Study of Rafsanjan city Ragah Valley zone. The 3rd Scientific Conference on New Horizons in Geography science and Urban and architecture Planning, Tehran, Iran, p. 14.) In Persian(
   
   
   1. Barkauskeiene, k., Snieska,V., 2013. Ecotourism as intergral part of sustainable tourism development. Economics and management. Vol. 18(3), pp. 449-456.
   
   


8. Hall, A., Day, M., 2014. Ecotourism in the state forest karst of Puerto Rico. Journal of Cave and karst Studies. Vol. 76 (1), pp. 30-41.


9. Ghorbani, A., Raufirad, V., Rafiaani, P., Azadi, H., 2015. Ecotourism sustainable development strategies using SWOT and QSPM model: A case study of Kaji Namakzar Wetland, South Khorasan Province Iran. Tourism Management Perspectives. Vol 16, pp. 290-297.


10. Robinson, R., Pearce, J.,2014. Strategic Planning and Management. Translation by Sohrab Khalili Shourini. 5st publication. Tehran.Publications Book Memoirs, p.624


11. Carolina, D., Lawrence, P., Ettkin. Marilyn, M., Helms, Michael s., Anderson, 2006. The challenge of VeneZuelA: A SWOT Analysis. Competitiveness Review, An International Business Journal. Vol. 16(3/4), pp. 233-247.


12. David, F.R., 1998.Strategic Management: Concepts and Cases, Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.


13. Kajanus, M., Kangas, J., Kurttila, M., 2004. The use of value focused thinking and the A’WOT hybrid method in tourism management,Tourism Management. Vol 25, pp. 499-506.


14. Ahmadi, A., Fathullah, A., M., Tajoddin, A., 2009. Comprehensive Approach to Strategic Management. Publishing Toulid Danesh, p.492.)In Persian(


15. Nadimi, h., 2005.  Strategic planning of architectural schools, why and how? Journal of Sefe. Vol. 15 (41) , pp. 141-126).In Persian(


16. Karbasi, A., Mugouei, R., Monavari, SM., 2007. Strategic Management in the Environment. 1st publication Tehran: Publishing Kavoshk Ghalam ,p. 232.) In Persian(


17. 9. Plan of Editing national document on development and management of ecotourism in the country,2001. Water and Energy Research Jahad Company.) In Persian(


18. Freeman, E., Introduction to statistical methods. Translation by Abbas Bazargan. 1987.Tehran: Academic Publishing Center, p. 418 .)In Persian(


19. Fazelnya, Gh., Hedayati, S., 2010. Appropriate Strategies for Tourism Development in Zarivar Lake. Geography and Development Journal.Vol .8(19), pp.170-145.)In Persian(


20. Morales S., A, 2007. Ecotourism in Mexico, A Thesis Submitted in Conformity with the Requirments Forthe Degree of Master of Laws (LLM), Graduate Department of Law, in the University of Toronto.


21. Khalili, Z., Olaidi, J., Tekiehkhah, J., 2014. Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Development of ecotourism Using the SWOT Model Case Study of Quri Qaleh zone in Kermanshah Province. The 2rd National Conference on Applied Research in Geography and Tourism.)In Persian(


22. Zarabi, A., AlizadehAsl, J., Bahari, A., 2014. Analysis of tourism infrastructure in the ecotourist destination of Urumie by using SWOT method. Geography and Planning Journal. Vol.18 (48), pp.210-177.) In Persian(


23. AmirAhmadi, A., MotamediRad, M., Pourhashemi, S., Qaraee, H., Abbariki, z., 2012. Determination of Ecotourism Potential of Sabzevar Mazinan Desert Using the SWOT Model. Journal of Arid Regions Geographics Studies. Vol .2(8) , pp. 75-55.) In Persian(