The Role of Ecotourism Potentials in Ecological and Environmental Sustainable Development of Miankaleh Protected Region

Abstract

Protected areas are considered as suitable environments for tourism development where the performance of tourism, consumer, and economic activities consistent with each region based on total management plan provides the context for sustainable tourism development. Therefore, the aim of the present study 1 was to explore the role of ecotourism potentials in the environmental development of Miankaleh Protected Region using a descriptive, analytical, survey method. It also aimed to examine factors affecting sustainable tourism development in the region under study. The data were collected using documentation and library techniques, field methods, questionnaires, note taking, observation, and conducting interviews with people, tourists, and authorities in charge of ecotourism development. The research population included people living in Noushahr, of whom 384 families, 30 experts, and 100 tourists were selected as the respondents in the research sample using Cochrane formula. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, and Spearman test through SPSS. The results of the study showed that there was a significant relationship between ecotourism potentials, environmental, economic and sociocultural development in the region under study.