Journal of Tourism and Development

Journal of Tourism and Development

Investigating Determinants of Rural Tourism Development in Dena County

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Zohreh Aghajari 1
Maryam Sharifzadeh 2
1 MSc of Rural Development, Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran.
2 Associate Professor, Department of Rural Development Management, Faculty of Agriculture, Yasouj University, Yasouj, Iran
10.22034/jtd.2023.381504.2724
Abstract
The promising contribution of tourism industry in societal development makes it significant to the development program planners and suggesting researchers to identify determinants of tourism development, in general. However, this point has not been considered comprehensively in all tourism target areas, and perhaps neglecting the factors underlying rural tourism development has caused harmful effects on both the host society and tourists. So, this survey research was conducted aimed at investigating determinants of rural tourism development in tourism target villages of Dena county, Kohgilouyeh and Boyer Ahmad province with regard to components of societal capacity. The statistical population was resident household heads in tourism target villages of Dena county. The sample was consisted of 137 household heads were studied who were selected by simple random sampling method. The data gathering tool was a researcher-made questionnaire which its validity is confirmed by panel of the experts. The internal consistence (reliability) was assessed using Alpha Chronbach’s coefficient (0.52-0.91). Results of analyzing the capacity factors for rural tourism development revealed desirable status of individual capacity elements, medium social capacity and undesirable status regarding organization capacity factors. Results of the logistic regression model suggested that social, individual and organizational capacities determined rural tourism development. Finally, to develop rural tourism capacity some applied suggestions were provided.
Keywords
Determinants of tourism development
Rural tourism
Community capacity approach
Social identity
Dena county
 
Ahmeti, F. (2013). Building community capacity for tourism development in transitional countries: Case of Kosovo.‏ European Journal of Scientific Research, 115(4), 536-543. https://ssrn.com/abstract=2623058
Amin Bidakhti, A. A., & Sharifi, N. (2012). Examining the relationship between social capital and the tourism boom in the Caspian Sea coastal areas. Tourism Management Studies, 7(17), 93-110. https://doi.org.20.1001.1.23223294.1391.7.17.5.7 [In Persian].
Andereck, K. L., Valentine, K. M., Knopf, R. C., & Vogt, C. A. (2005). Residents’ perceptions of community tourism impacts. Annals of Tourism Research, 32(4), 1056-1076. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2005.03.001
Aref, F. (2017). Capacity development of community organizations for tourism development and planning in Shiraz, Iran. Journal of Human Ecology, 33(3), 197-201. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2011.11906360
Aref, F., & Redzuan, M. R. B. (2009). Community capacity building for tourism development. Journal of Human Ecology, 27(1), 21-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2009.11906187
Aref, F., Redzuan, M. R., & Emby, Z. (2009a). Assessing community leadership factor in community capacity building in tourism development: A case study of Shiraz, Iran. Journal of Human Ecology, 28(3), 171-176. https://doi.org/10.1080/09709274.2009.11906235
Aref, F., Redzuan, M., & Emby, Z. (2009b). Assessing sense of community dimension of community capacity building in tourism development in Shiraz, Iran. European Journal of Social Sciences, 7(3), 126-132.
Aref, F., Redzuan, M. R., & Gill, S. S. (2010). Community capacity building: A review of its implication in tourism development. Journal of American Science, 6(1), 172-180.
Balint, P. J. (2006). Improving community-based conservation near protected areas: The importance of development variables. Environmental Management, 38(1), 137-148. https://doi.org10.1007/s00267-005-0100-y
Bartlett, J. E., Kotrlik, J. W., & Higgins, C. C. (2001). Organizational research: Determining appropriation sample size in survey research. Information Technology, Learning and Performance Journal, 19(1), 43-50.
Bennett, N., Lemelin, R. H., Koster, R., & Budke, I. (2012). A capital assets framework for appraising and building capacity for tourism development in aboriginal protected area gateway communities. Tourism Management, 33(4), 752-766. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2011.08.009
Byrd, E. T. (2007). Stakeholders in sustainable tourism development and their roles: Applying stakeholder theory to sustainable tourism development. Tourism Review, 62(2), 6-13. https://doi.org/10.1108/16605370780000309
Chavis, D. M., & Wandersman, A. (1990). Sense of community in the urban environment: A catalyst for participation and community development. American Journal of Community Psychology, 18(1), 55-81. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-8646-7_14
Chhabra, D. (2008). Baby boon generation perceptions of casino gambling impacts within social exchange theory settings. Anatolia, 19(1), 71-88. https://doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2008.9687054
Dredge, D. (2002). Networks, conflict and collaborative communities. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 14(6), 562-581. https://doi.org/10.2167/jost567.0
Dwyer, L., Edwards, D., Mistilis, N., Roman, C., & Scott, N. (2009). Destination and enterprise management for a tourism future. Tourism Management, 30(1), 63-74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2008.04.002
EbrahimPour, H., Babaei, Y., & Sokhandan, E. (2017). Examining the role of social capital on the participation of host communities in the sustainable tourism development with the mediator role of tourism effects (Case study: Sareyn). Journal of Tourism Planning and Development, 6(22), 118-143. https://doi.org/10.22080/JTPD.2017.1714 [In Persian]
Einali, J., & Romiani, A. (2013). The role of social capital in rural tourism development with emphasis second home case study; Hesar Valiasr county, Boeinzahra township. Tourism Planning and Development, 2(6), 52-74. [In Persian]
Ghazani, E., Bijani, M., & Chizari, M. (2016). The role of social capital in community-based ecotourism (CBET) development as perceived by rural people in Mazandaran province. Iran Agricultural Extension and Education Journal, 12(1), 53-69. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.20081758.1395.12.1.4.5 [In Persian]
‏Goodman, R. M., Speers, M. A., McLeroy, K., Fawcett, S., Kegler, M., Parker, E., Smith, S. R., Sterling, T. D., & Wallerstein, N. (1998). Identifying and defining the dimensions of community capacity to provide a basis for measurement. Health Education and Behavior, 25(3), 258-278. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819802500303
Habibi, F. (2016). A study of the effect of social capital on the tendency toward tourist arrival (Case Study: City of Marivan). Urban Planning, 5(18), 37-50. [In Persian]
Hummelbrunner, R., & Miglbauer, E. (1994). Tourism promotion and potential in peripheral areas: The Austrian case. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 2(1-2), 41-50. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669589409510682
Hwang, D., & Stewart, W. P. (2016). Social capital and collective action in rural tourism. Journal of Travel Research, 56(1), 81-93. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287515625128
Jamal, T. B., & Getz, D. (1995). Collaboration theory and community tourism planning. Annals of Tourism Research, 22(1), 186-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-7383(94)00067-3
Jones, S. (2005). Community-based ecotourism: The significance of social capital. Annals of Tourism Research, 32(2), 303-324.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.annals.2004.06.007
Khodadadi, M. (2016). A new dawn? The Iran nuclear deal and the future of the Iranian tourism industry. Tourism Management Perspectives, 18, 6-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2015.12.019
Khosravi, S., Mohamed, B., & Nair, V. (2015a). Community capacity for conserving natural resources in ecotourist destinations: A review of the concept. Asia-Pacific Journal of Innovation in Hospitality and Tourism, 4(2), 235-256.‏
Khosravi, S., Shafaei, F., & Mohamed, B. (2015b). Assessing the community capacity for environmental stewardship (in Langkawi Malaysia). International Journal of Sciences: Basic and Applied Research, 20(2), 148-164.
Laverack, G. (2006). Evaluating community capacity: Visual representation and interpretation. Community Development Journal, 41(3), 266-276. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/bsi047
‏Liu, J., Qu, H., Huang, D., Chen, G., Yue, X., Zhao, X., & Liang, Z. (2014). The role of social capital in encouraging residents' pro-environmental behaviors in community-based ecotourism. Tourism Management, 41, 190-201. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.08.016
Liu, Y., & Cheng, J. (2016). Place identity: How tourism changes our destination. International Journal of Psychological Studies, 8(2), 76-85. https://doi.org/10.5539/ijps.v8n2p76
Mirfardi, A., Mokhtari, M., Haidari, A., & Daneshpazir, H. (2014). A study of the effect of social capital on the tendency of tourists in visiting a place (Case study: city of Yasooj). Tourism Planning and Development, 3(10), 106-125. [In Persian]
Mohamad, N. H., & Hamzah, A. (2015). Social identity and community resilience towards tourism development in Mabul Island, Semporna Sabah, Malaysia. International Journal of Built Environment and Sustainability, 2(4), 230-238. https://doi.org/10.11113/ijbes.v2.n4.101
Nilsson, P. A. (2007). Stakeholder theory: The need for a convenor: The case of Billund. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 7(2), 171-184. https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250701372099
Palmer, A., Koenig-Lewis, N., & Jones, L. E. M. (2013). The effects of residents' social identity and involvement on their advocacy of incoming tourism. Tourism Management, 38, 142-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2013.02.019
Provia, K., Ronald, K., & Michelle, K. (2017). Community capacity building, local community involvement in tourism activities and community welfare in Uganda. Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports, 27, 15-29.
Sanaie Moghaddam, S., Mohammadi Yeganeh, B., & Rezaie, M. (2017). Evaluation and prioritization of tourist attractions in Kohgiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad province based on tourist attraction potentials. Geographical Journal of Tourism Space, 6(21), 1-18. https://sid.ir/paper/214252/fa [In Persian]
Sharifuddin, N. S. M., Zahari, M. S. M., Aizuddin, M., & Hanafiah, M. H. (2015). Is the sense of community towards participation in tourism development among the minorities in multiracial countries the same? World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 8(11), 3695-3703.
Sharpley, R. (2002). Rural tourism and the challenge of tourism diversification: The case of Cyprus. Tourism Management, 23(3), 233-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0261-5177(01)00078-4
Sharpley, R., & Telfer, D. J. (2015). Tourism and Development in the Developing World translated by Zargham Boroujeni, H., Nekouie, Z., Abbaspour, N., & Shojaie, M. Tehran: Mahkameh. [In Persian]
Siyamiyan Gorji, A., Garcia, F. A., & Mercadé-Melé, P. (2023). Tourists' perceived destination image and behavioral intentions towards a sanctioned destination: Comparing visitors and non-visitors. Tourism Management Perspectives, 45, 101062. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmp.2022.101062
Smith, N., Baugh Littlejohns, L., & Thompson, D. (2001). Shaking out the cobwebs: Insights into community capacity and its relation to health outcomes. Community Development Journal, 36(1), 30-41. https://doi.org/10.1093/cdj/36.1.30
Sorensen, T., & Epps, R. (1996). Leadership and local development: Dimensions of leadership in four central Queensland towns. Journal of Rural Studies, 12(2), 113-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/0743-0167 (95)00052-6
Wang, S., Zhou, L., Lee, S., & King, C. (2014). Analysis of Residents’ Social Identity, Tourism Engagement, and Propensity for Tourism Advocacy. Advances in Hospitality and Leisure, 10, 109-129. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1745-354220140000010006
WTTC (2015). Travel & Tourism: Economic Impact 2015 Iran. London: World Travel & Tourism Council.
Ziaei, M., Amin Bidokhti, A. A., & Qorbani, F. (2014). Assessment of the Local Community Capacity for the Sustainable Development of Tourism. Tourism Management Studies, 8(24), 59-88. https://doi.org/20.1001.1.23223294.1393.8.24.3.0 [In Persian]