Introduction

The Lorestan region enjoys an abundant variety of tourism resources, ranging from natural and lush landscapes, high mountains, freshwater lakes, roaring rivers, waterfalls, pleasant and attractive springs and lagoons, and unique ancient monuments to a place of integration of different cultures, races, and ethnic groups when considering historical monuments and tourist attractions. The region has more than 5,000 historical, cultural, and natural monuments; out of these monuments, a whopping 2,500 are listed as national monuments. This province boasts over 1,000 springs, mirages, and waterfalls, possessing a distinctive record for historical bridges (with 97 bridges). Furthermore, there are around 40 handicrafts practiced in the area and 35 model tourism areas and 36 tourism target villages located in the northern Lorestan region. The cold and snowy winters in the north, the southern stretch with low rainfall and hot summers, and the central region with a moderate climate indicate that this region has a very high potential for tourism development, especially in nature tourism (ecotourism). With such strong potentialities denying the region recognition and subsequent development in the tourism sector has really been counterproductive. Unfortunately, Lorestan Province has not been exploited by tourists, despite its numerous attractive sites for tourism, especially nature tourism.
 

Methodology

The present study is, purpose wise, applied and descriptive-analytical as to its nature and method, applied survey, documentary and case-strategies. Theoretical studies were collected using a Likert questionnaire and supplemented with interviews with tourism managers and researchers in Lorestan province for the data and quantitative information. The statistical population of the study includes tourism-related experts, tourism specialists as well as tourism management. The non-probability sampling procedure was applied in selecting 70 experts in the fields of tourism and tourism management. Statistical methods (both descriptive and inferential) were used to answer the research questions and analyze the data. Statistical analysis was done in EViews 9 and SPSS 22 software.
 

Results

The study on the potential for ecotourism in Lorestan province has been conducted from the perspective of features of nature and also of human capacity. This makes up the first research question and answers it through a one-sample T-test. The ten above components with their natural capacity and potential developed by Lorestan province for any ecotourism were said to be at desirable levels under one-sample T-test analysis, numerical mean analysis for single-sample T-tests. As shown in the findings, on the range of 1-5 and on the Likert scale, this level surpassed 3 numerical assessments favorable for natural components (mountaineering and caving, hunting and fishing, naturopathy, presence of hot springs, winter sports (skiing, ice climbing, ice skating), natural landscapes and scenic landscapes (valleys, mountains, rivers, etc.), swimming, boating, meeting wildlife, lakes, air, parks and protected areas). For all dimensions, this difference is significant at α = 0.05 and positive and significant from numerical desirability. Among 10-natural capacities and potentials presented here, natural and spectacular landscapes (valleys, mountains, rivers, etc.) with an average of (4.61), the mild and pleasant weather of Lorestan province with an average of (4.48), and mountaineering and caving due to the mountainous and historical nature of Lorestan with an average of (4.37) have played the most in the role among natural components compared to the other variables.
 

Discussion

The development of ecotourism and tourism, both in urban and rural areas, has experienced more than six decades of steady growth and has brought new opportunities to many countries, cities and villages. The development of ecotourism provides many economic, social, infrastructural and environmental opportunities for local communities. At the same time, the development of ecotourism also brings new challenges that put pressure on infrastructure, the environment, local communities and other economic sectors of society. If these challenges are not controlled, the growth of ecotourism can lead to significant negative impacts on sensitive cultural, heritage and environmental sites as well as the daily lives of residents, which can lead to dissatisfaction with tourists and tourist destinations. One of the factors in addressing these challenges and achieving sustainable and comprehensive growth of tourism and ecotourism is to pay attention to and identify the potential for ecotourism development due to the growth and development of tourism in each region. In Lorestan Province, due to the lack of jobs and income due to the lack of industries and government investment in this region, as well as various potentials such as pristine and mountainous areas in the heart of the Zagros, oak forests, the presence of numerous waterfalls such as Bisheh Waterfall, Bozorg Waterfall, Haft Cheshmeh, and Nojian Waterfall, etc. that can attract tourists, and the effects that the tourism and ecotourism industry can have on urban and rural areas of this region, the importance of tourism and ecotourism in the province has increased and can be considered as one of the best ways to create a sustainable livelihood.
 

Conclusion

The findings of the research undertaken on ecotourism development in Lorestan Province confirm that among the 44 variables investigated, 16 had relevant and significant relationships : road transport infrastructure, tourism development and attraction, preservation of public and tourist spaces, wildlife, and vegetation, temperate climate, pristine natural landscapes, promotion of local natural tourism attractions, travel agencies and tourism tours, introduction of religious, climatic, recreational attractions, advertising on social and national networks, investment in various fields of accommodation and residence , investment in tourism attractions , investment in infrastructure for the welfare of tourists, proper management of tourist attractions and destinations, and also proper use of Internet to promote these attractions and places. Research results indicate that development of ecotourism in Lorestan Province in general would also speak with the general factors affecting the phenomenon among 11 general factors considered, the most important-the first: infrastructure, had the biggest impact followed by another: use of technology.
We appreciate all the experts who so kindly and patiently answered the questionnaires