Journal of Tourism and Development

Journal of Tourism and Development

A Comparative Analysis of Natural Resource Conservation in Tourism with an Emphasis on Environmental Security and Local Community Participation

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Master of Tourism, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran.
2 Assistant Professor of Department of Public Administration and Tourism, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
3 Assistant Professor of Department of Engineering Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Technologies, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran
10.22034/jtd.2025.493919.2995
Abstract
The conservation of natural resources in the tourism industry, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas, is of paramount importance. Unregulated tourism development, poor management, and lack of local community participation have led to environmental degradation and biodiversity loss. This study examines environmental security and local participation as two key factors in the protection of natural resources. A mixed-methods approach was employed. In the qualitative phase, data were collected through interviews with 17 experts and analyzed using the grounded theory method with Atlas.ti 9 software. In the quantitative phase, a standardized questionnaire was designed and distributed among 192 participants. Data were analyzed using the Friedman test in SPSS 26 and the RReliefF algorithm in MATLAB 2018. The findings indicate that environmental security and active local community participation play a crucial role in sustainable tourism development. Additionally, a combination of educational strategies, ecotourism development, and attracting responsible tourists significantly contributes to mitigating environmental threats and improving the quality of life for local communities. The results emphasize that designing comprehensive management policies with local community involvement can create a balance between environmental conservation and the benefits of sustainable tourism. Therefore, policymakers and tourism managers can strengthen environmental security and enhance local participation by developing supportive legal frameworks, providing economic incentives for local communities, and investing in sustainable infrastructure. Moreover, establishing effective monitoring systems and implementing awareness and educational programs can lead to synergy between natural resource conservation and sustainable tourism development
Keywords

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