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Ecolodge Tourism Dynamics: A Village-Level Analysis of Marketing and Policy Indicators in Iran’s Hawraman Region

Author

Listed:
  • Mehdi Pourtaheri

    (Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran)

  • Zabih-Allah Torabi

    (Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran)

  • Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir

    (Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Geographical Sciences and Planning, University of Isfahan, Isfahan 8174673441, Iran)

  • Saeed Sajadi

    (Department of Geography and Rural Planning, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran 1411713116, Iran)

  • Colin Micheal Hall

    (Department of Management, Marketing, and Tourism, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
    The College of Hotel & Tourism Management, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
    Geography Research Unit, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
    School of Business and Economics, Linnaeus University, 35195 Växjö, Sweden)

Abstract

Despite growing interest in community-based ecotourism as a pathway to sustainable development, there is a critical lack of research on how localized configurations of marketing and policy factors shape ecolodge performance at the village level. This study addresses this gap by pioneering a comprehensive, contextually grounded analysis of the availability and desirability of key marketing and policy indicators across 25 rural villages in Iran’s culturally and ecologically rich Hawraman region. By employing an innovative mixed-methods approach blending statistical analysis, GIS spatial modeling, surveys, and interviews, the research reveals striking heterogeneity in ecolodge constraints and opportunities, even within a localized setting. Spatial analysis uncovers distance decay effects, with peripheral villages facing exacerbated accessibility deficits compared to centrally located ones. Substantial variations in marketing effectiveness and governance capacities underscore the inadequacy of one-size-fits-all tourism planning. The findings make a novel contribution by demonstrating the imperative for transitioning from monolithic interventions to hyper-localized, place-based strategies tailored to each village’s unique barrier and asset profiles. Embracing this paradigm shift promises to enhance the equity and sustainability of ecolodge tourism in rural contexts globally. The study provides an original methodological blueprint for harnessing multi-modal diagnostics to unpack complex tourism dynamics and catalyze transformative, community-centric solutions.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehdi Pourtaheri & Zabih-Allah Torabi & Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir & Saeed Sajadi & Colin Micheal Hall, 2024. "Ecolodge Tourism Dynamics: A Village-Level Analysis of Marketing and Policy Indicators in Iran’s Hawraman Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-29, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:12:p:5072-:d:1415147
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mark P. Hampton & Julia Jeyacheya & Pham Hong Long, 2018. "Can Tourism Promote Inclusive Growth? Supply Chains, Ownership and Employment in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(2), pages 359-376, February.
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    4. Zabih-Allah Torabi & Amir Reza Khavarian-Garmsir & Colin Michael Hall & Neda Beiraghi Khatibi, 2023. "Unintended Maladaptation: How Agritourism Development Policies in Iran Have Increased Vulnerability to Climate Change," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-15, August.
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