Prioritizing of Fars province playas for desert ecotourism development using GIS technique and topsis method

Authors

10.22052/6.16.135

Abstract

Fars province is regarded as one of the important poles of tourism in Iran, because it has enormous potential in terms of natural, historical and cultural attractions. Such cases can be noted in arid areas and deserts and can have very high potential in attracting tourists. In this research, with an emphasis on the desert areas of tourism, the tourism potential in three playas: Shiraz, Neyriz, Meydane Gel were evaluated using both tourists, expert, and data knowledge comparitively. Thus, first, in order to investigate the potential of the three playas, questionnaires from the perspective of tourists and experts were used, and ArcGIS software was used for preparation of layers in data knowledge. Then, TOPSIS model was used to rank the deserts in the form of three scenarios. The results showed that in all three scenarios, Shiraz desert with an average score of 0.95 was ranked first, and then Neyriz deserts and Meydane gel with mean of 0.71 and 0.14 were prioritized in the second and third orders. Therefore, in the development of ecotourism desert in Fars province, Shiraz desert has the highest priority which is prone to develop ecotourism desert.

Keywords


1. Akbari, S, Bemanian, A. 2008, Natural Rural Tourism and its Role in the Sustainable Development of Kandovan Village, The Village and Development Quarterly, Issue 10 2. Avargani nowroozi, A. Noori, S H. 2007. Assessment of Environmental Capacity for Tourism Development in Choghakhor Village, Journal of Research in Isfahan University, No. 22. 3. Fennell, A, D., (1999), Ecotourism an Introduction. Routledge, P 315. 4. Fusili, M. (2007), Development of ecotourism in Italy, Viac. Colombo. Pp 149-153. 5. Goshtasb Meigoni, H. 1993. Environmental Impact Assessment of National Park of Khojir and Sorkhehasar for preparing a revision plan. Thesis, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, p. 140. 6. Hebrig, P. & O’Hara, B, 1997, Ecotourism: A Guide for Marketers. European Business review, Volume 97, Number 5 7. Kahkeshan, S. 2004. Evaluation of ecological potential of Amir Kallayeh wetland for tourism using GIS. Thesis Master of Science (MSc), Environmental Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran University of Science Sciences, p. 298. 8. Karim Panah, R,2005, Ecotourism Analysis and Its Role in Region Development ofKurdistan. dissertation in master science, Tarbiat Modarres University, Human ScienceCollege, educational field of Natural Geography 9. Khan, sh, (2007). Development of ecotourism in pakistan. SDBI publishing, pp 87-90 10. Kohansaal, R, Rafiei, H. 2008. Selection and ranking of rainwater and traditional irrigation systems in Khorasan Razavi province, Journal of Agricultural Science and Technology, No. 1, pp. 91-104. 11. Mahmoudi, B. 2007. Evaluation of recreational power of Saman-e-Muyang in forests of Lordegan city in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province. Thesis, Faculty of Natural Resources, Sari, Mazandaran University, p. 112. 12. Makhdoom, M. 1993. Iran's Natural Capabilities to Actuate the Ecotourist, Proceedings of the First Seminar on Travel and Tourism, Publishing Organization of Tourism and Tourism. 13. Mohammadi Deh Cheshmeh, M, Zangi Abadi, A, 2007, Feasibility of Natural Tourism Capabilities in Chaharmahal va Bakhtiari Province by SWOT Methodology Journal of Environmental Studies. Thirty-fourth year No. 47. pp. 10-1. 14. Nastaran, M, Abolhasani, F, Izadi, M. 2010. Application of TOPSIS technique in the analysis and prioritization of sustainable development of urban areas (Case study: urban areas of Isfahan), Journal of Geography and Environmental Planning, 2010, No. 38, pp. 83-100. 15. Negaresh, H. 2006. Natural Tourism Attractions (Nature Tour) in Sistan & Balouchestan Province, Quarterly Journal of Geographic Space, No. 16, pp. 53-84 16. Nyaupane, G.P. and B. Thapa, 2004, Evaluation of Ecotourism: A Comparative Assessment inthe Annapurna Conservation Area Project. Nepal, Journal of Ecotourism 3. 17. Roknoddin Eftekhari, A, Mahdavi, D. 2006, Rural Tourism Development Strategies Using SWOT Model of Small Lavasan Village, Journal of Modarres University of Humanities, Volume 10, Issue 2, pp 30-1. 18. Saghaei, M. 2007. Possibility of Ecotourism in Iran, Proceedings of the Regional Conference on Geography, Tourism and Sustainable Development, Islamshahr, Islamshahr Islamic Azad University Press. 19. Sarvati, MR, GHasemi, A. 2008. Strategies for geotourism in Fars Province. Journal of Geographical Space. Islamic Azad University of Ahar Branch. Eighth, No.27. pp 23 – 50. 20. Solkhori Ghiyasvand, S. 2003. Investigation of Ecological Capacity of Paleol Dare Region (Qom) for Ecotourism. Thesis for Environmental Science, Islamic Azad University, Tehran University of Sciences, p. 163. 21. Taherkhani, M. 2007. Application of TOPSIS technique in prioritizing the establishment of agricultural transformation industries in rural areas, Quarterly Journal of Economic Research, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 59-71. 22. Tavallai, S. 2006, Globalization as a means for tourism development in Iran(Kerman). Geographical Research, No 685. 23. Torabi, N, 2006, tourism developing planning of Oshtorankooh protected area by Analysis hierarchy process by GIS & RS, project of master, environmental college of Tehran university. 24. Tremblay, P, 2006, Desert Tourism Scoping Study, Desert Knowledge CRC. Report 12, Australia, Charles Darwin University. 25. Vanesa, A, Verse. 2002. Ecotourism in small Caribbean island. Published in university of Florida, Pp 1-36. 26. World Tourism Organization 2007 27. World Trade Organization 2006 28. Yaghmaiyan, M. 2003. Tourism in Iran. Publication of cultural heritage research centre: Tourism and Handicraft industries of Iran. P235. 29. Zahedi, Sh. 2003. The Challenges of Sustainable Development from Ecotourism Perspective, Journal of Research in Tarbiat Modares University, Volume No. 3, pp. 89-103.