Ecotourism and socioeconomic strategies for Khansar River watershed of Iran

Ali Akbar Jamali (), Ramin Tabatabaee () and Timothy O. Randhir ()
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Ali Akbar Jamali: Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University
Ramin Tabatabaee: Maybod Branch, Islamic Azad University
Timothy O. Randhir: University of Massachusetts

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2021, vol. 23, issue 11, No 62, 17077-17093

Abstract: Abstract Strategies to enhance economic opportunities, while minimizing environmental impacts, are primary goals in watershed development. This study aims to evaluate ecotourism and socioeconomic strategies using the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) decision framework. This framework is especially suitable to evaluate complex issues facing many watershed systems. A survey with attributes of the SWOT framework is used to study future strategies for watershed development. An expert panel is used to develop and evaluate the questionnaires and tested for reliability using statistical measures. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated (0.92). Independent variables are based on attributes related to each of the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats categories in the watershed. Internal factors (IF = 2.77 of 4) and external factors (EF = 2.53 of 4) were assigned by weighted scores in the evaluation process. The results show that an aggressive strategy or strength–opportunity (SO) is an optimal strategy for the watershed. An offensive strategy can be used to promote economic development, ecotourism expansion, morale boosting, and raising capital for investment and rural development, including watershed ecotourism.

Keywords: Ecotourism; Social and economic issues; SWOT framework; Watershed strategies; Iran (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-021-01334-y

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