Village and Development

Village and Development

Identification of Critical Factors and Villages with Potential for Sustainable Development of Rural Tourism in Dezful County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
M. Limouei 1
A. Mirzaei 2
M. Savari 3
A. Abdeshahi 4
1 MSc of Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.
3 Associate Professor of Rural Development, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.
4 Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics, Department of Agricultural Economics, Faculty of Agricultural Engineering and Rural Development, Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan, Mollasani, Iran.
10.30490/rvt.2024.366599.1612
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Despite over 1000 years of rural tourism development in the West, this issue has not been seriously considered in developing countries. In recent years, especially in developing countries like Iran, the lack of economic opportunities for rural communities, the failure to provide public services, and infrastructure deficiencies have hindered rural tourism from overcoming challenges and progressing towards development. This study aims to address the following key questions:

What are the essential factors for the sustainable development of rural tourism?
How significant is the impact of each critical factor on the sustainable development of rural tourism?
How can potential villages be prioritized based on critical factors and their impact intensity?

Materials and Methods
Factors influencing rural tourism development were identified through a literature review, document study, and expert interviews. The classical fuzzy DEMATEL method was employed to assess the intensity of these factors' impact on rural tourism development. Ten experts from various fields participated in completing questionnaires using the fuzzy DEMATEL method to evaluate the relationships between factors. The TOPSIS method was then used to prioritize rural areas based on their tourism development potential, with experts assigning scores to each village.
Results and Discussion
The study revealed that managerial and physical factors were the most critical for rural tourism development in Dezful County, with average impact intensities of 0.976 and 0.906, respectively. Economic, social, and cultural factors also played significant roles. Natural factors were deemed less important compared to other factors. Job opportunities, social interactions, local festivals, and traditional accommodations were identified as critical factors for sustainable rural tourism development in Dezful County. Villages with potential for tourism development were identified based on these critical factors.
Conclusions
To promote sustainable rural tourism in Dezful County, it is recommended to focus onincentives, government support for infrastructure improvement, job creation in tourism-related sectors, and education on organizing local festivals and interacting with tourists. This study provides a structured framework for identifying critical factors and prioritizing investment in sustainable tourism development, serving as a roadmap for the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Organization.
Keywords
Rural Sustainable Development
Rural Tourism
Tourism Critical Factors
Fuzzy DEMATEL Method

Subjects

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