Preparing ecotourism strategy using SWOT-AHP model (Case study: northern rangeland of Gonbad-e-Kavous)

Mohammadi Ostadkelayeh, Amin; Nabavi Chashemi, Sahar; Tahmasebi, Abolfazl; Pahlavan Zadeh, Hamideh

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Volume 12, Issue 24 (9-2024)

PEC 2024, 12(24): 151-162

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Preparing ecotourism strategy using SWOT-AHP model (Case study: northern rangeland of Gonbad-e-Kavous)

Amin Mohammadi Ostadkelayeh ^*

, Sahar Nabavi Chashemi²

, Abolfazl Tahmasebi²

, Hamideh Pahlavan Zadeh³

Department of Range & Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture &Natural Resources Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Department of Range & Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture &Natural Resources Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous , aminmohammadi@gonbad.ac.ir
2- Department of Range & Watershed Management, Faculty of Agriculture &Natural Resources Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous
3- Graduated in Environmental Design Engineering, University of Tehran

Abstract: (1194 Views)

Today, ecotourism, as a unique and rapidly growing sector of tourism, plays a crucial role in the sustainable development of societies. This research aims to analyze the internal and external factors of the northern rangelands in Gonbad-e-Kavoos city to develop a strategy for ecotourism development. The study utilizes an integrated approach combining the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and SWOT. First, SWOT analysis was conducted to identify and categorize the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of ecotourism in the study area. Given the multi-index nature of the decision-making problem, with hierarchical elements including objectives, criteria, and sub-criteria, the analytical hierarchy process was used to calculate the weight and significance of each criterion and sub-criterion identified through SWOT analysis. Data were gathered through a matrix of paired comparisons using the expert judgment from 14 specialists. The results revealed that the strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities groups had weights of 0.579, 0.252, 0.116, and 0.053 respectively, ranking from highest to lowest in terms of their impact on ecotourism in the study area. Based on the results, it is crucial for decision-makers and planners to prioritize the analysis of the internal environment of the northern rangelands in Gonbad-e-Kavoos city in order to convert weaknesses into strengths. Additionally, efforts by ecotourism planners should focus on transforming threats into opportunities in the subsequent steps. The strategic situation for rangeland ecotourism was determined as (ST). It is evident that prioritizing and emphasizing the analysis of the internal environment of the northern pastures in Gonbad kavus city to transform weaknesses into strengths is of greater significance for decision-makers and planners than analyzing the external environment. Furthermore, nature tourism planners should focus on converting threats into opportunities.

Article number: 10

Keywords: AHP-SWOT, Ecotourism, Rangeland, Gonbad-e-Kavoos

Full-Text [PDF 651 kb] (282 Downloads)

Type of Study: Research | Subject: Special
Received: 2023/11/6 | Accepted: 2024/06/18 | Published: 2024/10/7

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Mohammadi Ostadkelayeh A, Nabavi Chashemi S, Tahmasebi A, Pahlavan Zadeh H. Preparing ecotourism strategy using SWOT-AHP model (Case study: northern rangeland of Gonbad-e-Kavous). PEC 2024; 12 (24) : 10
URL: http://pec.gonbad.ac.ir/article-1-946-en.html

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Volume 12, Issue 24 (9-2024)

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