Investigating the Role of Ecotourism Development in the Social and Economic Empowerment of the Villagers of Kerman Township

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor of Geography/ University of Sistan and Baluchestan

2 USB

Abstract

Context and Purpose: Since empowerment is one of the important goals of ecotourism development, the main aim of this research was to investigate the role of ecotourism development in the social and economic empowerment of the villagers of Kerman.
Design/methodology/approach: This study was carried out using a descriptive-analytical method and is of an applied research type. Documentary studies and survey methods were used to collect the required information, and the data was analyzed with the help of SmartPLS software. The research’s statistical population comprised 27 tourist villages with ecotourism residences in Kerman city.
Conclusion The findings indicate the impact of social empowerment on the development of ecotourism, with a factor load of 0.755 and a t value of 14.298, its effectiveness at 0.426, and its overall fit at 0.482 ranked first, and economic empowerment, with a factor load of 0.928 and a t value of 52.019, ranked second. The development of ecotourism has been effective in two dimensions: economic and social empowerment. Therefore, considering that the figures are close to each other, more efforts should be made in the field of infrastructure provision to strengthen this dimension of empowerment.
Originality/value: Considering the role of ecotourism in empowering villagers in social and economic fields, this study can be a good model for planners in similar areas.

Keywords

References

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Tourism and hospitality marketing research
Volume 2, Issue 1 - Serial Number 2
Spring and Summer
June 2024
Pages 177-200

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