A Survey on Some Implications of Rural Tourism for Rural Regions of Soltaniyeh District, Zanjan Province

This study aims at investigating the implications of tourism for rural regions of Soltaniyeh district in Zanjan province. It is conducted in a descriptive-correlative method mainly by means of questionnaire. The statistical population includes rural people, civil service staff, and tourists (n=453). Study results indicate that enhancement of economy in the region, prosperity of local handicraft industry, increase in life quality, and solution of the unemployment problem are the most important positive implications, and destruction of vegetation, increase in land and housing prices, decline in the traditional culture, and social conflict between the host and guest societies are the most important negative implications of the rural tourism for the region. In addition, according to the results of factor analysis on the role of rural tourism in development of the region, improved rural industry and marketing are known as the first factor, followed by developing the employment and entrepreneurship, cultural development, economic development, increased welfare services, and protection of natural resources as the next factors.