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Introduction and purpose: With the increase in population and psychological pressures resulting from crowded cities, ecotourism is one of the ways to reduce the pressure on people and a new way of creating employment, and it is the factor of the villages' exit from social isolation and the population of the watershed residentsi is Currently, tourism, as one of the most important pillars of the economy and the largest service business in the world, has a unique role and position in regional development and is considered as one of the most effective tools for improving environmental capabilities and sustainable development. It can be many development planners and policymakers consider tourism to be the main pillar ofsustainable development, which may play an important role in the country's economic diversity with good and principled planning and identification of opportunities and limitations. Today, discussion and concern about natural hazards and factors threatening the development of tourism systems have been given serious attention. In this research, with the aim of investigating the tourism capabilities of the sub-basin of Zebh Darreh from the watershed of Talar in Savadkouh in Mazandaran province, the SWOT technique was used to formulate strategies and determine the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, and the TOPSIS method was used to prioritize the selected strategies.
Materials and methods: The research data was collected and analyzed through a questionnaire and using the Delphi technique, from 30 experts and watershed dwellers in the sub-basin of Zebh Darreh Talar in Savadkouh city. The results showed that a total of 15 internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) and 15 external factors (opportunities and threats) effective in the tourism situation of this basin were identified and evaluated. Also 12 strategies were proposed to improve its tourism situation. Based on the matrix of internal-external factors in the SWOT model, the best strategic position for the sub-basin of Zebh Darreh Talar, the adoption of an aggressive strategy was introduced. In this sub-basin, natural and man-made potentials include permanent waterways, thick Caspian forests, historical monuments related to coal mining and extraction tunnels, Imamzadeh Seyed Mahdi, off-road roads, concrete steps for walking, productions there is agriculture and forestry, forest products, numerous waterfalls, etc.
Findings: The results of the research showed that the strategies of benefiting from the natural, historical, etc. potentials and attractions of the basin and providing the grounds for attracting investment to use the potential capacities in it, as the most important strategy. The improvement of the tourism situation in the sub-basin of Zebh Darreh Talar has been introduced. 15 internal elements and 15 external factors affecting tourism in the region were studied, identified and evaluated. In addition, 12 strategies for improving tourism were presented. The results of the evaluation matrix of external factors (EFE) showed that, according to the respondents, "increasing willingness of the private sector to participate in tourism-related plans and programs" and "financial incentives and long-term government loans for "Private sector investment" are the most important opportunities of the tourism industry in this basin. According to the opinion of the respondents, "increasing unemployment population despite the potential of tourism in the region" has been introduced as the most important threat to the tourism industry in the region. The results of the evaluation matrix of the internal factors of the development of the tourism industry in the area of Talar area showed that, according to the respondents, "the presence of beautiful natural attractions with a rare landscape: waterfalls, forests, mountains, dense green cover and access to the mountains "Zingalo Height" has been introduced as the most important strength of the tourism industry in this sub-area. According to the opinion of the respondents, "lack of tourism infrastructure and weak management in its projects in Savadkouh region" has been introduced as the most important weakness of its tourism industry. Savadkouh city has many natural, historical, cultural and man-made potentials in terms of tourist attractions. Identifying and prioritizing strategic tourism programs will play an important role in creating employment and economic development. The results of the evaluation matrix of external factors (EFE) showed that, according to the respondents, "increasing willingness of the private sector to participate in tourism-related projects and programs" and "financial incentives and long-term government loans for capital" "Private sector investment" as the most important opportunities of the tourism industry in the sub-basin of Zebh Darreh Talar. Also, according to the opinion of the respondents, "increasing unemployment population despite the potential of tourism in the region" has been introduced as the most important threat to the tourism industry in the region.
Conclusion: The city of Savadkuh has abundant tourism attractions, including natural, historical, cultural, and man-made potentials. Identifying and prioritizing strategic tourism programs will play a significant role in job creation and economic development. It is hoped that the relevant authorities, by focusing on the vision and goals of the tourism sector and having a precise foresight in implementing these projects, will contribute to the expansion and enhancement of the region’s economy. Additionally, based on the results of applying the TOPSIS approach for prioritizing the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of Zebh-Darreh, it has been decided that “the presence of beautiful natural attractions along with an unparalleled landscape: waterfalls, forests, mountains, dense green cover, and access to the high Zingalu mountain” holds the highest priority and is the most significant strength of Zebh-Darreh. In the list of weaknesses, the lack of tourism infrastructure and poor management in the Savadkuh region are more prominently observed. The tourism process, especially in the initial stages, requires strong support from government officials. Therefore, providing low-interest loans, tax exemptions, and organizing training workshops for entrepreneurs can be very beneficial and helpful for investors in the tourism sector. Thus, it is hoped that the relevant authorities will focus on the vision and goals of the tourism sector and have a precise foresight in implementing these projects to contribute to the expansion and enhancement of the region’s economy.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
ساير موضوعات وابسته به مديريت حوزه آبخيز
Received: 2024/05/28 | Accepted: 2025/01/10
Received: 2024/05/28 | Accepted: 2025/01/10
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