Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Journal of Geographical Studies of Mountainous Areas

Investigating factors affecting the preservation and sustainability of rural tourism development resources (tourism target villages of Paveh county)

Document Type : Original Article

Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction

Paveh County in Kermanshah province is known as one of the regions that has many tourist villages due to its historical, cultural, social, economic and natural resources. The sources of rural tourism development in this region are diverse and due to this diversity and geographical location, it has always attracted many tourists. What is important in the field of rural tourism development resources in this region is the preservation and sustainability of tourism resources; because a large part of the region's tourism development resources is rooted in its natural and cultural resources. Therefore, the main issue is that the preservation and sustainability of tourism development resources in rural areas is important, and the management of this issue requires a detailed understanding of the issue and the influencing factors in this field.
 

Methodology

The research method is based on the descriptive-analytical goal and is applied and based on the method, it is quantitative. The research data is the result of a survey study at the level of rural communities. The main tool of the research is the researcher's questionnaire, whose validity was confirmed by experts. Its reliability was also confirmed through Cronbach's alpha coefficient, which obtained a value above 0.70 for different parts of the questionnaire. The statistical population of this research is made up of the residents of three villages, Hajjij, Khanqah and Shamshir, and the sample size was calculated using Cochran's formula of 349 adults.
 

Results

The result showed that social factors include the level of awareness and general knowledge of the local community about resources (2/962); Preservation of cultural and local tourism resources and traditions (2/925); Permanence of population in villages (2/137); Information and advertising regarding the position and value of tourism resources (2.020) have a lower average than the average of the test (3) and according to the reported averages, the mentioned factors are in an unfavorable and weak state have.
Investigating economic factors including the employment of the rural community in the tourism sector of the village (2/174); Existence of suitable incomes from village tourism (1/773); reducing poverty and deprivation (2/128); providing resources for the preservation and maintenance of tourist attractions (1/922); New job opportunities in rural tourism (2/186); Various activities around tourism resources (2/601) have a lower average than the average of the test (3) and according to the reported averages, the mentioned factors are in a weak situation. In general, the economic factors affecting the preservation and sustainability of rural tourism resources are evaluated as weak.
Examining the infrastructure factors affecting the sustainability of tourism resources shows that except for the factor of having health services, other infrastructure factors were significant at the level of less than 0.05. Examining the significance direction according to the average shows that the state of technology and internet in the field of rural and tourism resources (4/171) and the existence of appropriate access infrastructure (roads, etc.) (3/782) have a favorable condition. Of course, these two factors also need to be improved and given more attention. Also, the results show that the existence and variety of accommodation-tourism facilities in the village (1/765); having educational and promotional services (1/997); Information centers to introduce attractions (1/879); the presence of catering services in the village (1/994) in the villages of the region have poor and poor conditions.
The investigation of environmental factors affecting the sustainability of tourism resources shows that all factors were significant at a level less than 0.05. Examining the significance direction according to the reported average shows that the environmental factors include the preservation of vegetation (forest) (2.063); Preservation of endangered animal species (2/527); reduction of environmental destruction (2/246); The presence of trash cans at the village level (2.968) has a lower average than the average of the test (3) and according to the reported averages, the mentioned factors are in a weak situation. Factors such as the preservation of buildings and Historical monuments in accordance with the environment with an average of 4.412 and the preservation of the virgin areas of the village with an average of 3.982 have a favorable condition that can be effective in the sustainability and preservation of tourism resources.
The result of the Kruskal Wallis test confirms that there is a significant difference between the three villages of Hajij, Khanqah and Shamshir in terms of sustainability of tourism resources, and the biggest difference is related to Khanqah village for all economic, social, infrastructure and environmental factors.
 

Discussion

According to the results, it should be stated that the social and environmental factors of sustainability of tourism development resources have an average status with an average of 3.175 and 3.042, respectively. Also, the economic and infrastructural factors show a weak situation with an average of 2.131 and 2.702, respectively. In order to preserve and sustain rural tourism development resources, six strategies have been developed, and these strategies can be effective and effective in maintaining have tourism resources. These strategies include preserving local culture and values; development of accommodation-infrastructure services; Development of programs and rules for the preservation of tourism resources; participation of villagers in maintaining tourism resources; providing financial resources and supporting the preservation of cultural resources; Creation and development of tourism cultural industries.
 

Conclusion

According to the results, in order to preserve and sustain rural tourism development resources, all social, infrastructural, economic and environmental factors that are effective in preserving and sustaining rural tourism development resources should be given serious attention for improvement and the proposed strategies to improve the conditions. Emphasis and planning. It seems that modification and review of some factors require a long-term plan. However, with all the reported conditions, the capacities and resources of tourism development in the region are very rich and with basic measures, the necessary platform can be provided for the development of rural tourism and the sustainability of its resources.
Keywords

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