Document Type : Research
Authors
1 Associate professor of Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 MSc in Geography and Tourism Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
3 MSc in Geography and Rural Planning, Faculty of Geography, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Today, the tourism industry is known as one of the most profitable industries in the world, with vast potential for growth and development and a host of positive economic effects. Tourism can exert key social, economic, political and environmental impacts in the tourist destination. On the other hand, understanding people's living conditions (main living capitals, i.e., natural, human, economic, social and organizational capitals) is one of the key factors in achieving the goals of sustainable rural development. As environmental tourism, ecotourism represents one of the major sources of income and preservation of biodiversity, one of which is geotourism. The cities of Garmsar and Aradan in Semnan province have the capacity to become a geotourism destination due to their special geomorphological conditions, natural landscapes and salt mines. Using the library method, a field survey and a questionnaire, this paper explores the role of geotourism in the sustainable livelihood of rural people in Garmsar and Aradan cities. The effects of rural geotourism on livelihood capitals in Garmsar and Aradan cities are measured. The analysis of questions related to financial, physical, natural, social, human and institutional capitals suggests that tourism has played a pivotal role (both positive and negative) in improving livelihood capitals. In general, the effect and average score of social development is higher than economic development. In this regard, social capital, institutional capital, financial capital, natural capital, physical capital, and human capital exerted the highest and lowest effects, respectively. Therefore, it can be posited that each component of social and economic dimensions is at a desired level, indicating the effect of geotourism on the enhanced quality of life and the social and economic development of rural households from the perspective of the rural residents.
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