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Showing 25 results for Rural Areas
Marzieh Pourjopari, Abouzar Paidar, Seyyed Hadi Tayebnia, Aliakbar Anabastani,
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Volume 11, Issue 41 (12-2022)
Abstract
Introduction
Today, eco-tourism is one of the essential aspects of transformation, diversity and economic prosperity of rural communities, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, historical villages and traditional and local communities. Since eco-tourism has different contexts, capacities, patterns and aspects, it is necessary to identify and promote and strengthen patterns appropriate to the conditions of each village for planning the development of rural eco-tourism. Kerman Province has 330 eco-tourism units; most of these accommodation units have recently been set up in villages and tourist areas. Kerman County has always been the focus of tourists due to its historical background and the conditions governing the nature of this region. Considering the importance of tourism activities and eco-tourism in developing rural areas, hence improving the living conditions of the communities, this study analyzes the ability of eco-tourism attractions in Kerman County. Therefore, the central question of the research is, what will be the ideal model of eco-tourism development in the villages of Kerman County?
Methodology
In terms of the objective, the current research is applied research, and its nature is descriptive-analytical. Collecting information combines two library methods (documents) and survey (field-based questionnaires and interviews). The research questionnaire collects the required information from 37 components in economic, social-cultural, environmental, security, physical-spatial, and several variables. The content validity of the questionnaire was verified from the point of view of professors and experts in the field of geography. Also, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to verify the reliability of many research questions. Cronbach's alpha of most variables is more significant than 0.7, so the reliability of all variables is confirmed. In addition, the average variance extracted is always more than 0.5, so the convergent validity is also confirmed.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings, eco-tourism development has generally had positive effects in all dimensions and components, although to different extents. The observed factor load has a value greater than 0.3 in most cases. Therefore, there was a proper correlation between the visible and hidden variables. However, the development of eco-tourism has not been able to be brought up in the villages properly. It is possible to state in a general way the pattern of eco-tourism development in the villages of Kerman city. Generally, the model is based on economic empowerment. In this way, in the first step, rural areas should generally be improved in factors such as unemployment reduction, job diversity and stable employment, stable income, investment of villagers in tourism, entry of non-native investors, product branding, packaging, conversion and Processing all kinds of livestock and agricultural products, creating and expanding local markets, overcoming the inability and dependence or lack of dependence on foreign resources and products (city) and the government for villagers, equal access to opportunities and resources, the dynamics of the supply chain and value in the village, supporting and empowering the deprived sections of the society. Also, the shape of the eco-tourism development pattern for Joshan, Sirach, Mazieh and Akhtarabad Rural Districts is considered physical-spatial, which means that in terms of construction, strengthening of buildings, use of local materials in construction and creation of attractiveness, improvement and widening of roads and bridges, embellishment, lighting of roads need to be improved. In other rural districts like Mahan, a security model is suggested, so political stability, public and personal security, and reduction of crimes and anomalies inside the village and houses, outside the village on roads and virgin areas are more important than other dimensions. In Qanatghistan, environmental aspects like the preservation and expansion of pastures, medicinal plants, water and soil resources, animal life, and new and sustainable energies should be considered. The pattern of development of Rayen and Hossein Abad tourism has a social and cultural format, which includes preserving and expanding customs, the way of holding and organizing celebrations and weddings, mourning, occasions, games, music, dance, show, preservation and expansion of beliefs and cultures and native architecture, preservation of historical buildings (mosques, caravanserais, shrines, castles, tombs, baths); The ideal model for the development of eco-tourism in other villages such as Koirat, Zangi-Abad, Drakhngan, Sar Asiyab, Baghin is an economic and environmental model; Takab and Andohjerd: economic and socio-cultural; And Kashit: physical-spatial and security combined.
Today, eco-tourism is one of the essential aspects of transformation, diversity and economic prosperity of rural communities, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, historical villages and traditional and local communities. Since eco-tourism has different contexts, capacities, patterns and aspects, it is necessary to identify and promote and strengthen patterns appropriate to the conditions of each village for planning the development of rural eco-tourism. Kerman Province has 330 eco-tourism units; most of these accommodation units have recently been set up in villages and tourist areas. Kerman County has always been the focus of tourists due to its historical background and the conditions governing the nature of this region. Considering the importance of tourism activities and eco-tourism in developing rural areas, hence improving the living conditions of the communities, this study analyzes the ability of eco-tourism attractions in Kerman County. Therefore, the central question of the research is, what will be the ideal model of eco-tourism development in the villages of Kerman County?
Methodology
In terms of the objective, the current research is applied research, and its nature is descriptive-analytical. Collecting information combines two library methods (documents) and survey (field-based questionnaires and interviews). The research questionnaire collects the required information from 37 components in economic, social-cultural, environmental, security, physical-spatial, and several variables. The content validity of the questionnaire was verified from the point of view of professors and experts in the field of geography. Also, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to verify the reliability of many research questions. Cronbach's alpha of most variables is more significant than 0.7, so the reliability of all variables is confirmed. In addition, the average variance extracted is always more than 0.5, so the convergent validity is also confirmed.
Discussion and conclusion
According to the findings, eco-tourism development has generally had positive effects in all dimensions and components, although to different extents. The observed factor load has a value greater than 0.3 in most cases. Therefore, there was a proper correlation between the visible and hidden variables. However, the development of eco-tourism has not been able to be brought up in the villages properly. It is possible to state in a general way the pattern of eco-tourism development in the villages of Kerman city. Generally, the model is based on economic empowerment. In this way, in the first step, rural areas should generally be improved in factors such as unemployment reduction, job diversity and stable employment, stable income, investment of villagers in tourism, entry of non-native investors, product branding, packaging, conversion and Processing all kinds of livestock and agricultural products, creating and expanding local markets, overcoming the inability and dependence or lack of dependence on foreign resources and products (city) and the government for villagers, equal access to opportunities and resources, the dynamics of the supply chain and value in the village, supporting and empowering the deprived sections of the society. Also, the shape of the eco-tourism development pattern for Joshan, Sirach, Mazieh and Akhtarabad Rural Districts is considered physical-spatial, which means that in terms of construction, strengthening of buildings, use of local materials in construction and creation of attractiveness, improvement and widening of roads and bridges, embellishment, lighting of roads need to be improved. In other rural districts like Mahan, a security model is suggested, so political stability, public and personal security, and reduction of crimes and anomalies inside the village and houses, outside the village on roads and virgin areas are more important than other dimensions. In Qanatghistan, environmental aspects like the preservation and expansion of pastures, medicinal plants, water and soil resources, animal life, and new and sustainable energies should be considered. The pattern of development of Rayen and Hossein Abad tourism has a social and cultural format, which includes preserving and expanding customs, the way of holding and organizing celebrations and weddings, mourning, occasions, games, music, dance, show, preservation and expansion of beliefs and cultures and native architecture, preservation of historical buildings (mosques, caravanserais, shrines, castles, tombs, baths); The ideal model for the development of eco-tourism in other villages such as Koirat, Zangi-Abad, Drakhngan, Sar Asiyab, Baghin is an economic and environmental model; Takab and Andohjerd: economic and socio-cultural; And Kashit: physical-spatial and security combined.
Akbar Pourfaraj, Maryam Naghavi,
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Volume 11, Issue 42 (1-2023)
Abstract
Introduction
Agritourism, regarded as a sustainable development strategy for rural communities, is a tool for economic diversification and conserving land resources, agricultural landscapes and cultural assets. The rural areas of Mazandaran Province are a significant agricultural hub of the country due to their abundant capabilities such as soil fertility, vast plains, good climate and sufficient water resources. This province is also known as one of the most visited tourist destinations with mass tourism form in the country. These capabilities are compatible with developing niche tourism, such as agritourism. Therefore, it is necessary for the tourism governance of Mazandaran to combine the activities of the two sectors of agriculture and tourism to encourage and promote agritourism to preserve the region's agricultural lands and agricultural heritage and traditions in order to prevent unsustainable development. However, success in agritourism requires attention to the issue of planning and demand management to attract interested tourists and also understanding why and how the behavioral processes pattern and their travel decisions. Therefore, this study aims to understand the factors affecting the behavioral intentions of tourists towards agritourism in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. In order to understand and explain the decision-making process, the Planned Behavior model was used to examine the attitudes of tourists towards agricultural activities, their subjective norms and perceived behavioral control as determinants of tourists' behavioral intentions. This model provides suitable conditions for obtaining the necessary information and awareness about tourists' specific behaviors and inclinations towards agritourism.
Methodology
This descriptive and quantitative study is based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The study's statistical population is the tourist who has experience travelling to rural areas of Mazandaran. The number of statistical samples was estimated at 220 people. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic and specialized questions. Specialized questions included two items for measuring behavioral intention variable (BI), two items for attitude towards agritourism (ATT), three items for subjective norms (SN), three items for perceived behavioral control variable (PBC) and one item for past experience (PE). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content, construct, convergent, divergent and diagnostic validity. Also, its reliability was confirmed by composite reliability and pre-test of 30 questionnaires based on Cronbach's alpha test. Data classification and analysis were performed through SPSS25 and SmartPLS3.3.3.
Discussion and conclusion
Finally, the results showed that the factors of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had affected the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit agricultural farms and rural areas in Mazandaran Province. It was also found that tourists with a positive belief and attitude towards agritourism activities are more inclined to visit agricultural and rural environments. Compared to other factors determining behavioral intentions, subjective norms have the greatest impact on the intention to the agricultural and rural environment. In other words, the intention to visit increases when people (such as family, relatives, friends or colleagues) and influential persons in virtual spaces recommend travelling to agricultural destinations in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions (national culture), Iran is ranked as one of the collectivist countries and cultures (41), and therefore the people of our society are more affected by social norms. Furthermore, this study found that perceived behavioral control has a positive effect on the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit the agricultural environment of rural areas in Mazandaran Province. Tourists believe that their confidence in their ability to make such trips, as well as enough money and time for vacations, influences their behavioral intentions to visit the agricultural and rural areas of this destination. Although past experience is effective in the relationship between attitude and behavioral intentions, the past experience of tourists had a moderate effect. In this province, because most of the lands are engaged in agricultural activities, little attention has been paid to agritourism activities. In other words, agritourism is a new sector in this traditional destination. Therefore, the previous experiences of tourists do not include in-depth and participatory experiences in agritourism activities and include items such as entertainment and shopping. It should be noted that tourists in this study had a strong tendency to participate in recreational and entertainment activities and did not want to participate in agritourism activities because most of the tourists in this destination are leisure tourists and are not specialized tourists agritourism. Therefore, creating a brand and a new image of rural areas of Mazandaran as an agritourism destination is recommended.
Agritourism, regarded as a sustainable development strategy for rural communities, is a tool for economic diversification and conserving land resources, agricultural landscapes and cultural assets. The rural areas of Mazandaran Province are a significant agricultural hub of the country due to their abundant capabilities such as soil fertility, vast plains, good climate and sufficient water resources. This province is also known as one of the most visited tourist destinations with mass tourism form in the country. These capabilities are compatible with developing niche tourism, such as agritourism. Therefore, it is necessary for the tourism governance of Mazandaran to combine the activities of the two sectors of agriculture and tourism to encourage and promote agritourism to preserve the region's agricultural lands and agricultural heritage and traditions in order to prevent unsustainable development. However, success in agritourism requires attention to the issue of planning and demand management to attract interested tourists and also understanding why and how the behavioral processes pattern and their travel decisions. Therefore, this study aims to understand the factors affecting the behavioral intentions of tourists towards agritourism in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. In order to understand and explain the decision-making process, the Planned Behavior model was used to examine the attitudes of tourists towards agricultural activities, their subjective norms and perceived behavioral control as determinants of tourists' behavioral intentions. This model provides suitable conditions for obtaining the necessary information and awareness about tourists' specific behaviors and inclinations towards agritourism.
Methodology
This descriptive and quantitative study is based on Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling. The study's statistical population is the tourist who has experience travelling to rural areas of Mazandaran. The number of statistical samples was estimated at 220 people. Data were collected through a web-based questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: demographic and specialized questions. Specialized questions included two items for measuring behavioral intention variable (BI), two items for attitude towards agritourism (ATT), three items for subjective norms (SN), three items for perceived behavioral control variable (PBC) and one item for past experience (PE). The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed using content, construct, convergent, divergent and diagnostic validity. Also, its reliability was confirmed by composite reliability and pre-test of 30 questionnaires based on Cronbach's alpha test. Data classification and analysis were performed through SPSS25 and SmartPLS3.3.3.
Discussion and conclusion
Finally, the results showed that the factors of attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control had affected the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit agricultural farms and rural areas in Mazandaran Province. It was also found that tourists with a positive belief and attitude towards agritourism activities are more inclined to visit agricultural and rural environments. Compared to other factors determining behavioral intentions, subjective norms have the greatest impact on the intention to the agricultural and rural environment. In other words, the intention to visit increases when people (such as family, relatives, friends or colleagues) and influential persons in virtual spaces recommend travelling to agricultural destinations in rural areas of Mazandaran Province. According to Hofstede's cultural dimensions (national culture), Iran is ranked as one of the collectivist countries and cultures (41), and therefore the people of our society are more affected by social norms. Furthermore, this study found that perceived behavioral control has a positive effect on the behavioral intentions of tourists to visit the agricultural environment of rural areas in Mazandaran Province. Tourists believe that their confidence in their ability to make such trips, as well as enough money and time for vacations, influences their behavioral intentions to visit the agricultural and rural areas of this destination. Although past experience is effective in the relationship between attitude and behavioral intentions, the past experience of tourists had a moderate effect. In this province, because most of the lands are engaged in agricultural activities, little attention has been paid to agritourism activities. In other words, agritourism is a new sector in this traditional destination. Therefore, the previous experiences of tourists do not include in-depth and participatory experiences in agritourism activities and include items such as entertainment and shopping. It should be noted that tourists in this study had a strong tendency to participate in recreational and entertainment activities and did not want to participate in agritourism activities because most of the tourists in this destination are leisure tourists and are not specialized tourists agritourism. Therefore, creating a brand and a new image of rural areas of Mazandaran as an agritourism destination is recommended.
Hamdollah Sojasi Qeidari , Seyedreza Hosseini Kahnooj,
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Volume 13, Issue 50 (12-2024)
Abstract
Objective: This study aims to identify key challenges influencing the formation of knowledge-based businesses, with a focus on their development and commercialization in rural areas using the cross-impact matrix approach and scenario planning methodology.
Methods: This study is applied in its objective and employs a qualitative survey method. The statistical sample includes 75 rural business owners and 25 experts, selected based on the principle of theoretical saturation.
Findings: Using content analysis, 54 challenges were identified and categorized into six major groups: 1. Human Resource Management, 2. Taxation and Customs Regulations, 3. Marketing and Sales, 4. Licensing and Supervision, 5. Financial Issues and Market Supply & Demand, 6. Intellectual Property System. Among these, 44 challenges were validated using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The impact of key variables was assessed through MICMAC software, and future commercialization scenarios for rural knowledge-based businesses in Iran were generated using Scenario Wizard software. Out of the 12 identified scenarios, the seventh scenario was deemed the most optimal, as all key drivers were in a favorable state. However, two scenarios: 1. Utilizing customer surveys to understand consumer preferences (E2), 2. Leveraging multiple platforms and channels for advertising (F2) remained in an intermediate position.
Conclusions: The golden scenario extracted in this research revolves around training professional, problem-solving, and creative individuals to address destabilizing risks in the commercialization of rural knowledge-based businesses.
Methods: This study is applied in its objective and employs a qualitative survey method. The statistical sample includes 75 rural business owners and 25 experts, selected based on the principle of theoretical saturation.
Findings: Using content analysis, 54 challenges were identified and categorized into six major groups: 1. Human Resource Management, 2. Taxation and Customs Regulations, 3. Marketing and Sales, 4. Licensing and Supervision, 5. Financial Issues and Market Supply & Demand, 6. Intellectual Property System. Among these, 44 challenges were validated using the fuzzy Delphi technique. The impact of key variables was assessed through MICMAC software, and future commercialization scenarios for rural knowledge-based businesses in Iran were generated using Scenario Wizard software. Out of the 12 identified scenarios, the seventh scenario was deemed the most optimal, as all key drivers were in a favorable state. However, two scenarios: 1. Utilizing customer surveys to understand consumer preferences (E2), 2. Leveraging multiple platforms and channels for advertising (F2) remained in an intermediate position.
Conclusions: The golden scenario extracted in this research revolves around training professional, problem-solving, and creative individuals to address destabilizing risks in the commercialization of rural knowledge-based businesses.
Saadi Mohammadi, Farzad Vaisi, Kioumars Khodapanah, Zhian Danshvar,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: Recognizing that resolving any problem necessitates strategic planning, this applied research was conducted in the rural border regions of Marivan County. Its primary objective is to contribute to economic diversification in these rural communities by formulating a flexible, forward-looking strategic plan aimed at attracting capital investments.
Methods: The research employed a mixed-methods approach. The theoretical component was developed using documentary analysis, while the practical component was carried out through a survey methodology, including interviews, questionnaires, and field observations. The study adopts a qualitative approach, primarily based on interviews and the Delphi method. Through collaboration with a Delphi expert panel, a strategic plan was designed to facilitate economic diversification via capital attraction and the development of micro-enterprises. The study population consisted of 24 purposefully selected individuals, including regional development officials, subject-matter experts, micro-business owners, and local managers.
Results: The analysis identified eight internal strengths versus eighteen internal weaknesses, along with six external opportunities versus nine external threats related to fostering a diversified economic environment and favorable business climate through capital attraction in the studied rural areas. The intersection of internal factor weights (3.40) with external factor weights (2.49) positioned the study area within a conservative strategic posture.
Conclusions: The results suggest that a conservative strategy is the most appropriate model for capital attraction aimed at economic diversification in the region. This approach necessitates a critical reassessment and revision of current policies, programs, and actions to address the existing suboptimal business environment. Furthermore, the long-term outlook—over a 15-year horizon—indicates that, given its capabilities and potential, the region could emerge as a leading center for cross-border trade, specialized agriculture, micro-industrial production, and rural tourism within Kurdistan Province, in competition with other counties in the region.
Seied Mohammad Hossein Musavipur, Vahid Riahi, Saeid Nasire Zare,
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Volume 14, Issue 51 (6-2025)
Abstract
Objective: One of the major concerns surrounding agricultural activity in Iran today is the accelerating fragmentation of agricultural lands. This phenomenon poses a serious threat to the implementation of national agricultural policies and has the potential to exacerbate existing production challenges in the sector. The issue, which began with the implementation of land reform programs and has intensified in recent years due to inheritance practices, has received limited academic attention. The present study seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon in the rural areas of Savojbolagh County by examining both its legal and religious foundations.
Methods: This applied research adopts a mixed-methods approach and is philosophically grounded in pragmatism due to its methodological integration. Data collection combined documentary and field research, including seven focus group interviews (3–5 participants each) and sixteen individual interviews. The findings were analyzed using grounded theory methodology, following coding in MAXQDA software. Fourteen rural settlements were selected based on expert recommendations and criteria such as the number of agricultural stakeholders, cultivated land area, and agricultural output.
Results: According to the Holy Qur’an, land is not considered a private asset or form of wealth but rather a means for livelihood and labor. Similarly, Islamic jurisprudence and Iranian legal codes affirm that the ultimate management and ownership of land rest with the Islamic government. Nonetheless, inheritance laws and historical land reform programs have been major drivers of land fragmentation. In the rural regions studied, several local conditions have contributed to the intensification of this trend. The causal conditions include climate change and rising agricultural production costs. Intervening factors include shifts in social lifestyle, rural population growth, urbanization and informal settlement expansion, limited rural services and infrastructure, and the weak financial capacity of farmers. Contextual conditions comprise environmental and ecological features as well as the morphology and structure of agricultural land. Strategic factors include legal frameworks, the expertise and performance of local managers, the level of managerial coordination, and farmers’ awareness and knowledge. Consequences identified include agricultural productivity and profitability challenges, as well as soaring land prices.
Conclusions: To curb the ongoing fragmentation of agricultural lands, it is essential to involve experts and specialists in a coordinated effort to reform current inheritance laws and land division regulations, while also addressing the root causes that perpetuate this phenomenon.
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