Qualitative Analysis of the Development of Ecotourism Resorts in Villages of Shiraz City: Challenges, Effective Factors, and Strategies for Progress

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Human Geography and Planning- Faculty of Geography- University of Tehran- Tehran- Iran

2 Department of Human Geography and Planning- Faculty of Geography- Ujiversity of Tehran- Tehran- Iran

Abstract

Context and Purpose: Ecotourism is a type of tourism that aims for the sustainable development of tourist destinations and seeks to reduce the negative impacts of tourism. The important and undeniable role of ecotourism resorts in the development of tourism and the empowerment of local communities has led to the identification and analysis of the challenges of developing these resorts in rural areas of Shiraz, as the main objective of this research.
Design/methodology/approach: This research is applied in terms of purpose and qualitative (content analysis) in terms of the nature of the data. In this study, data were collected through library and field methods, as well as interview tools.
Findings: Finally, the research findings were examined using qualitative content analysis, and the challenges of developing ecotourism resorts were identified.
Conclusion: The results of the research showed that the most important challenges for the development of these resorts include physical, knowledge, management, and sustainability challenges. The most important factors affecting progress include cultural originality and identity, environmental and geographical advantages, and livelihood and economic characteristics. The most important solutions for progress include improving the physical and security of resorts, promoting marketing, market development, and ecotourism, and educating the basics and principles of ecotourism.
Originality/value: By carefully examining the challenges, effective factors, and providing practical solutions for the development of ecotourism resorts in Shiraz city, especially with an emphasis on the region's originality and cultural identity, this research can serve as a model for the sustainable development of rural tourism in other similar regions.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Tourism Planning and Development
Volume 14, Issue 54
September 2025
Pages 143-176

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