ISSN 0354-8724 (hard copy) | ISSN 1820-7138 (online) Modeling, Evaluation, and Zoning of Marivan county Ecotourism Potential using Fuzzy Logic, FAHP, and TOPSIS Jahanbakhsh BalistA*, Hamideh HeydarzadehA, Esmail SalehiA Received: September 15, 2018 | Revised: December 14, 2018 | Accepted: February 26, 2019 DOI: 10.5937/gp23-18879 Abstract Among all the diverse regions of Iran, Marivan is considered one of the touring poles in the country thanks to its unique views which play an important role in providing ecotourism potential. Current- ly, despite the importance of the issue, no specific study and planning have been done to locate proper zones for an outing. In this regard, evaluation of the land potential for any kind of activity such as recre- ational planning is the first step in planning. In this study, we evaluated and zoned the ecotourism po- tential of Marivan in Kurdistan province with fuzzy logic, FAHP, and TOPSIS, based on 15 criteria and ap- plying GIS, where the outcome was zoning map of areas most suitable for ecotourism development. The results indicated that a total area of 3183 km2 (included in the study), classes 4 and 5, respective- ly, with 151 and 513 km2 constitute the most appropriate zones for ecotourism development. Among points with ecotourism attraction, the Zarivar Lake claimed the top priority while Anjiran Heights re- ceived the last priority. Keywords: Tourism; Marivan; Zoning; Fuzzy Logic; FAHP; TOPSIS Introduction Ecotourism has been categorized among new con- newest and best and indeed a perfect definition: “Ec- cepts which are still often misunderstood and not otourism is traveling to sensitive, unique, intact, and used correctly. Some misuse the term ecotourism to usually protected areas”. attract travelers who are aware of protecting practic- Ecotourism is an instructive trip for tourists, the es of places which are only a natural location for tour- revenue of which is spent on protecting the location ism and believe in its social and environmental detri- which directly affects the economic development and mental effects. political empowerment of local communities and The term ecotourism was first introduced into tour- honors different cultures and human rights (Drums ism literature in 1980. The International Ecotourism & Moore, 2009). Ecotourism is a sustainable form of Society presented the first comprehensive, valid and natural environment-based tourism which primarily brief definition in 1990: “responsible for traveling to focuses on the knowledge about the natural environ- natural areas to protect the environment and improve ment and is managed in a way to have few harmful ef- the economic conditions of local communities”. Con- fects. This type of tourism occurs only in natural are- current with the acquisition of further knowledge as and plays a positive role in protecting these places and experience, the need for a complete and compre- (Fennell, 2003). Indeed, ecotourism is a new concept in hensive definition increased. Marty Hani offered the tourism engendered initially by the idea of re-harmo- A University of Tehran, Department of environmental planning, Environmental planning, Tehran, Iran * Corresponding author: Jahanbakhsh Balist, [email protected] Geographica Pannonica • Volume 23, Issue 1, 47–63 (March 2019) 47 Modeling, Evaluation, and Zoning of Marivan county Ecotourism Potential using Fuzzy Logic, FAHP, and TOPSIS ny with the true nature and was raised by natural tour- the region. In this field, tourism activity that is ideal- ism community as responsible travel to natural areas ly planned can offer both optimal protection and man- that will be along protection of the environment and agement of nature and present other benefits for local strengthening the local community welfare (Thampi, communities and local economies (Salam et al, 2000). 2005). Ecotourism emphasizes the protection of natu- Even tourism can be considered as a means of creating ral resources and biological differences in the develop- empathy and international understanding-realization ment of tourism. It also needs the appropriate support of world peace (Brown, 2000). On the one hand, the of resources utilized; in other words when the benefits volatility and the negative effects of tourism in mass of regional tourism resources are replaced with eco- tourism are far more than those of other types of tour- nomic and industry benefits, then we should strive to ism, and in contrast, ecotourism is more in line with support the appropriate development of natural and sustainability requirements than other types of tour- socio-cultural environment (Bin et al., 2008). It can be ism (Wearing & Neil, 1999). One of the main strategies courageously argued that at present tourism is one of to minimize the negative impacts and to enhance pos- the main trade-economic pillars of the world, and its itive impacts of ecotourism in geographical territories socio-economic impacts will lead to increased nation- is planning to use land considering the capacities and al and regional revenues, prosperity of different eco- natural potentials for ecotourism as well as a targeted nomic sectors, regional development (development of selection of geographical districts to implement pro- communication networks), and the development of grams matching ecotourism. Consequently, evaluat- social relations (Hall & Page, 2002). Nowadays, con- ing ecotourism potentials of geographical ecotourism sidering the high remunerative level of tourism, many is an important step before tourism planning (Gthin- countries are prompted to invest heavily in this sec- ji, 2006). In case the above measures take into account tor (Tremblay, 2006). In late 1980, when the term ec- all aspects of sustainable development, then they can otourism entered English literature, few people could be considered one of the main strategies of sustaina- predict its prominent position approximately twenty ble development in tourism destinations. Ecotourism years later as a trend in the tourism industry. It was planning with the aim of serving the tourists interest- due to this importance that the year 2002 was intro- ed in nature as well as preserving the natural environ- duced by the United Nations as the Year of Ecotour- ment is a “win-win” strategy which in any case benefits ism (Weaver & Lawton, 2007). Tourism development both the host and the guest (Ramsey & Schaumleffel, is important for developing countries facing prob- 2006). Due to the increasing pressure of human popu- lems like high unemployment, limited currency, and lation on natural resources, limited natural resources single-product economy. On the other hand, the ne- for recreation, lack of appropriate ecotourism projects, cessity to pay serious attention to the issue of travel and lack of proper planning, thus ecotourists cannot and tourism as a new phenomenon in the mechani- take advantage of many attractions of nature. On the cal life of the twenty-first century is an apparent ne- other hand, the imbalance in population density and cessity, and its importance is increasing progressively natural resources has destroyed some areas. Thus, rec- in the world (Butler, 2002). Tourism is the third larg- reational planning in this kind of tourism is first con- est industry in the twenty-first century which will un- sidered a means of promoting social and economic doubtedly be the most beneficial trade in the upcom- levels. Also, thanks to protective functions, outdoor ing years of the twenty-first century (Fennell, 2003). A recreation as an experienced management strategy in study conducted by Tourism Organization revealed areas were natural resources are located also provides that $1 direct income of tourism will find a ratio of 4.3 their dynamic protection (Laurance et al., 2005). value concerning the industry (Bin et al., 2008). Em- Variable uncertainty and long periods in environ- ployment increased by tourism will add five job op- mental planning make decision-making more com- portunities. Regarding the high remunerative level of plicated. MCDM methods cannot meet all these tourism, many countries are prompted to investigate challenges. This method is an appropriate decision- heavily in this sector (Tremblay, 2006). Ecotourism is making framework for local planning as it considers a relatively new phenomenon in the tourism industry contradictory, ambiguous, multifaceted, and incom- which constitutes only a part of the industry (Nyau- parable goals (Ananda & Herath, 2008). The fuzzy pane & Thapa, 2004). Without careful planning and logic which was raised against classical logic is consid- attention to the ecological, local, cultural, and social ered as a powerful means for solving issues related to capabilities, the tourism industry will face some prob- complex systems in which there are problems or issues lems for any region. On the other hand, a planned and related to reasoning, decision-making, and human perfect tourism system will encourage the proper use deduction (Kourehpazan Dezfooli, 2008). Real phe- of the environment and different environmental, cul- nomena are not only black or only white, but some- tural, historical etc. (Edgell et al., 2008) resources in what gray. Real phenomena are always fuzzy, vague, 48 Geographica Pannonica • Volume 23, Issue 1, 47–63 (March 2019) Jahanbakhsh Balist, Hamideh Heydarzadeh, Esmail Salehi and imprecise (Azar & Faraji, 2008). The range of clas- capability evaluation, etc (Faraji Sabokbar, 2005). In sic membership functions (xA(x)) is a two-membered the present article,